In this series, BFW looks back at all the members of the 2014 World Cup-winning Germany men’s national team — players and coaches — reflecting on their performance back then and checking in on where they are today.
Manuel Neuer’s role in 2014
Neuer started every match for the Germans in Brazil, keeping four clean sheets (vs. Portugal, the USMNT, France, and Argentina) and winning the tournament’s Golden Glove award.
Perhaps the game that most distinguished him that summer, though, was a Round of 16 thriller vs. Algeria. The Algerians pushed the Germans into extra time before falling 2-1, recording seven shots on goal but only scoring from one of them, in injury time of the 120th minute. It wasn’t Neuer’s saves that made his performance the stuff of legend, however. It was his madness: rushing out of goal to make last-ditch tackles and headers away in the open field. Plays that make you gasp and ask: hey, what’s the goalkeeper doing out there?
If there is one single game that exemplifies Neuer’s sweeper-keeper greatness, it is this one.
You know…#justneuerthings.
What is Manuel Neuer doing now?
As we all know…still here!
Neuer is going strong, having recently extended his FC Bayern contract another year to 2027. And he has made a dramatic last-minute return to the national team, displacing Oliver Baumann from the No. 1 spot — though due to a calf issue incurred in the Bundesliga finale, Neuer sat out for the first of Germany’s pre-tournament test friendlies, a 4-0 victory over Finland.
When the actual competition rolls around, though, expect Manuel the Magnificent to remain at his post between the sticks for Germany. As he did in 2022, 2018, 2014, and 2010. That’s five World Cups for the GOAT.
Can he add a second title to his trophy cabinet?
If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on Acast, Spotify, Apple, or any leading podcast distributor…
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