Germany recalls veteran goalie Manuel Neuer out of retirement for World Cup

BERLIN: (May 21)  Veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been coaxed out of retirement for the World Cup by Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann.

The 40-year-old Neuer retired after the 2024 European Championship but was included in Nagelsmann’s 26-man squad for the upcoming tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

His inclusion is a blow to Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who was assured he was the No. 1 until reports emerged in recent weeks that Nagelsmann was thinking about a Neuer recall. Up to last week, Baumann was saying Nagelsmann told him he’d be the starting goalkeeper at the World Cup.