Germany’s national football team is entering a new era in the UEFA Nations League and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers without its long-time goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer. After an illustrious career with the national team, the Bayern Munich shot-stopper has announced his retirement from international football. Neuer, who will be 40 by the next World Cup, has been a cornerstone of the German team for over a decade. His decision to step down creates an opportunity for his long-time understudy, Marc-André ter Stegen. However, Julian Nagelsmann, Germany’s head coach, has several other talented goalkeepers at his disposal who are eager to challenge the Barcelona star for the starting position.
Neuer vs. Ter Stegen: A Long-Standing Rivalry
Manuel Neuer has been a fixture in Germany’s goal since 2009, representing his country in four World Cups and four European Championships. Over his 124 appearances for the national team, Neuer conceded 118 goals and kept 51 clean sheets. His crowning achievement was leading Germany to victory in the 2014 World Cup. Any goalkeeper would envy such a career.
Neuer’s retirement from the national team was both dignified and emotional, as he took to social media and sports websites to bid farewell. He admitted that the decision was difficult, torn between his mind and heart. Although he would miss the pride of playing for his country, Neuer felt it was the right time to step down after discussing it with his family.
Neuer’s career was not without challenges. After suffering a leg fracture in December 2022 while skiing, he feared his footballing days might be over. However, his return to the pitch and his selection for Euro 2024 were significant personal victories. Despite his achievements, Neuer realized by the summer of 2024 that it was time to leave the national team.
Marc-André ter Stegen: The Likely Successor
With Neuer stepping down, 32-year-old Marc-André ter Stegen is the frontrunner to become Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper. Like Neuer, ter Stegen is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He has been Barcelona’s main goalkeeper for nine seasons and even captains the Catalan giants.
Despite his impressive club career, ter Stegen has had to play second fiddle to Neuer in the national team. Since his debut for Germany in 2012, ter Stegen has only managed 42 appearances, conceding 50 goals and keeping 13 clean sheets. He has never played a minute at a World Cup or European Championship, despite being part of the squad for two World Cups and two Euros. This lack of opportunities has been frustrating for a goalkeeper of his caliber, leading to reports of tension between him and Neuer in the past.
Before Euro 2024, ter Stegen was in excellent form, boasting one of the highest save percentages in La Liga (75.5%). However, Nagelsmann opted to start Neuer, a decision ter Stegen publicly admitted was hard to accept. Nevertheless, he respected the coach’s choice, even if he didn’t agree with it.
Nagelsmann recently revealed that he had a difficult conversation with ter Stegen in March, where he feared the goalkeeper might refuse to participate in Euro 2024. However, ter Stegen ultimately decided to stay and compete, and now he is expected to be Germany’s main goalkeeper for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The Contenders: Who Could Challenge Ter Stegen?
While ter Stegen is the clear favorite to take over as Germany’s number one, he faces competition from several other talented goalkeepers. These include Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, Bernd Leno, and Kevin Trapp.
Oliver Baumann: The Veteran
Oliver Baumann, at 34, is the oldest of the contenders. The Hoffenheim goalkeeper is also the captain of his club. Despite his age, Baumann is relatively inexperienced at the international level, having never played a match for Germany. Although he has been called up 25 times since September 2020, he has yet to step onto the pitch for the national team.
Baumann’s inclusion in the Euro 2024 squad was his first experience at a major international tournament. He earned his spot with a stellar season in the Bundesliga, where he made the most saves (143) and had one of the highest save percentages (69.7%).
Having spent ten years at Hoffenheim, Baumann has been a consistent performer in the Bundesliga. He began his career at Freiburg before moving to Hoffenheim in 2014 for €5.5 million. Despite his impressive domestic form, Baumann’s lack of international experience may work against him in his bid to become Germany’s number one.
Nagelsmann has acknowledged Baumann’s strong performances, stating, “Oliver Baumann played very well last season and also made a great impression during the European Championship”.
Alexander Nübel: The Young Challenger
Alexander Nübel, 27, is another goalkeeper with potential but has faced his own challenges. In 2020, Bayern Munich signed Nübel on a free transfer after he left Schalke. However, with Neuer firmly entrenched as Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper, Nübel found playing time hard to come by, making only four appearances in the 2020/21 season. As a result, Bayern sent him out on loan to gain experience, first at Monaco and now at Stuttgart.
Nübel had a strong season in the Bundesliga, finishing in the top ten for save percentages (69.2%) and helping Stuttgart achieve a surprise second-place finish, ahead of Bayern Munich. Despite his impressive domestic performances, Nübel is yet to make his debut for the national team. He was included in the squad for Euro 2024 but did not see any playing time.
Nagelsmann explained his decision to leave Nübel out of the Euro 2024 squad: “The decision was not related to Alex’s performances. He integrated well into the team and worked hard in training… The advantage of the goalkeeper position is that if someone gets injured, you can make a substitution at any time. That’s not the case for outfield players. So, we preferred to have another outfield player, with Leroy Sané close to peak form”.
Bernd Leno: The Experienced Option
At 32, Bernd Leno is one of the more experienced goalkeepers in contention. He has been part of the Germany squad since 2015, traveling to Euro 2016 and Euro 2020. However, despite being in the national team for nearly a decade, Leno has only made nine appearances, conceding ten goals and keeping three clean sheets. Most of his international appearances have come in friendlies or qualifiers against weaker opposition.
Leno began his career at Bayer Leverkusen before moving to Arsenal in 2018 for €25 million. After three seasons as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper, Leno lost his place in the starting lineup. In August 2022, he transferred to Fulham for €3.6 million. Leno had a strong season in the Premier League, finishing fourth in total saves (133) and eighth in save percentage.
Despite his experience and recent form, Leno remains on the fringes of the national team, with his chances of becoming Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper seemingly slim.
Kevin Trapp: The Steady Hand
Kevin Trapp, 33, has been a reliable goalkeeper for Eintracht Frankfurt and has occasionally been called up to the national team. Like Leno, Trapp has been part of the Germany squad for several years but has struggled to secure a regular starting spot. He has made six appearances for the national team, keeping two clean sheets.
Trapp’s experience in both the Bundesliga and international competitions, including the UEFA Europa League, where he played a key role in Frankfurt’s success, makes him a solid backup option. However, like Baumann and Leno, Trapp is likely to remain behind ter Stegen in the pecking order.
Conclusion: The Road Ahead
As Germany begins its journey towards the 2026 World Cup, Marc-André ter Stegen is the clear frontrunner to succeed Manuel Neuer as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper. Ter Stegen’s experience, talent, and consistency at the highest level make him the ideal candidate to fill the void left by Neuer’s departure.
However, the competition for the goalkeeper position is fierce, with Oliver Baumann, Alexander Nübel, Bernd Leno, and Kevin Trapp all eager to prove their worth. Each of these goalkeepers brings something different to the table, whether it’s Baumann’s consistency, Nübel’s potential, Leno’s experience, or Trapp’s reliability.
Julian Nagelsmann faces a tough decision as he looks to build a new era for Germany’s national team. While ter Stegen is likely to be the first choice, the depth and quality of the other goalkeepers ensure that Germany will have a strong and capable presence between the posts for years to come. The road to the 2026 World Cup is just beginning, and the battle for Germany’s number one jersey is far from over.
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