Neuer not stressed but again rules out Germany return for World Cup

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabeu. Alberto Gardin/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is not changing his mind but is also not stressed by the ongoing debate whether he should come out of international retirement and play one more World Cup in summer in Germany.

Neuer, who turned 40 recently, reiterated on ZDF television late Saturday that he will not return while also dismissing a rift with coach Julian Nagelsmann.

"The World Cup is going ahead, but I'm not involved in it at all right now and I'm not part of the whole thing either, so I'm just watching it from the sidelines," Neuer said.

“My focus is simply on FC Bayern, as I’ve said time and again, and it’s just great fun being part of the squad; it’s great fun competing for everything.

“We’ve got so many important and decisive matches coming up, and I’m just trying to enjoy that with the team right now.”

The 2014 World Cup winner Neuer retired from Germany duty after Euro 2024. A comeback debate started when new number one Marc-André ter Stegen suffered several injuries and Neuer continued to perform at top level, such as in last week's 2-1 Champions League victory at Real Madrid.

Neuer has always ruled out a return but he also dismissed a statement from former Germany captain Lothar Matthäus that his relationship with Nagelsmann was not the best.

"We don't have a bad relationship, we have a good one. But whatever people say about it from the outside, I don’t think he cares, and neither do I, which is why I think we’re relaxed about it," he said.

Neuer also reiterated that he will decide over the next weeks whether he wants to renew his contract for another season at treble-seeking Bayern, who seem ready to give him a new deal.

Neuer said he wants to enjoy the next games "and then I’ll give some more thought to how I feel come crunch time. And then I’ll make a decision, just as the club will.”