German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38-years-old.
The Bayern Munich star issued a video statement on his Instagram, recounting some of his most favoured memories as a professional footballer before thanking fans and the German Football Association (DFB).
‘Dear fans, dear football Germany,’ he began.
‘The day had to come at some point. Today is the end of my career with the German national football team. Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not an easy one.
‘It has been over 15 years since my debut, when we played against the United Arab Emirates and I was extremely nervous. We have had many ups and downs with the national team. I think everyone knows the highlight. The victory in the Maracana stadium against Argentina, where we became world champions.
‘When I look back today, it fills me with pride and a lot of gratitude. To have been on the pitch with all my teammates and to have been captain of the German national team for over seven years until my injury.
‘What happened after that was an encore for me and the fact that I managed to stand on the pitch again at a home European Championship was the crowning glory.’
He added: ‘My thanks go to all the DFB employees. First and foremost, of course, to the coaches, the goalkeeping coaches, and all the staff members. We were really a family and, above all, to the teammates, with whom it was always fun to be on the pitch and train.’
More to follow…