Germany goalkeeper Neuer retires from international football to focus on Bayern
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said Wednesday he is retiring from the national team after 15 years and 124 games. He is staying in club football with Bayern Munich.
The 38-year-old Neuer made his debut for Germany in 2009 and won the World Cup in 2014. His last game for the national team was the 2-1 extra-time loss to eventual champion Spain in the quarterfinals as Germany hosted Euro 2024.
Neuer said he was "tempted" by the prospect of staying on for the 2026 World Cup but decided against it after speaking with family and friends. That could open the door for Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen, who has played for Germany 40 times but never at a major tournament, to take over as starting goalkeeper.
"I feel very good physically and obviously would have been very tempted by the 2026 World Cup in the U.S.A., Canada and Mexico. At the same time I am convinced that now is the right time to take this step and to concentrate fully on FC Bayern Munich in the future," Neuer said in a statement.
Neuer is the second leading player in the German team to retire from international football this week after midfielder Ilkay Gündogan, who captained the team at Euro 2024. He cited fatigue and the pressures of a busy club and international schedule in his statement Monday.
Forward Thomas Müller retired from the national team last month, and midfielder Toni Kroos retired from all Premier League transfers: Berge joins Fulham and Liverpool sells teenager Clark
LONDON (AP) — Fulham completed the signing of Sander Berge from relegated Burnley for a reported 25 million pounds ($32.8 million) on a five-year contract on Thursday, with the Norway international set to replace the departed Joao Palhinha as the club's holding midfielder.
Palhinha left for Bayern Munich in the transfer window.
"It's been a little bit back and forth the last few weeks," Berge said, "but I'm finally sitting here in the shirt in this beautiful stadium, knowing that my future is here, which feels great."
Berge, who has also played for Sheffield United in the Premier League, could be in contention to make his debut for Fulham against Leicester on Saturday.
Liverpool sold 19-year-old midfielder Bobby Clark to Salzburg for a reported 10 million pounds ($13 million).
Clark was one of the youngsters who helped Liverpool win the English League Cup last season.
Source: Associated Press
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