Neuer…a historic achievement on the night of painful loss sports

Veteran German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was unable to celebrate in the best possible way his historic achievement by participating in the match against Paraguay, on Tuesday, in the round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.

Germany, the four-time world champion, bid farewell to the 2026 World Cup early with a surprise loss to Paraguay after a marathon match that ended 4-3 on penalty kicks after the two teams tied 1-1 in regular and extra time.

Neuer, the captain of Germany and the Bayern Munich team, became his country’s most regular player in the World Cup, with 23 matches, surpassing the duo, Miroslav Klose and Lothar Matthaus, who have equal 22 appearances in the starting lineup.

The 40-year-old German goalkeeper also tied with Italian Paolo Maldini in fifth place on the list of players who participated most in the World Cup, whether as a starter or substitute.

This list is topped by Argentine star Lionel Messi with 29 matches, and he is participating with his country in the 2026 World Cup, followed by Matheus and Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo with 25 matches each, then Klose with 24 matches.

It is noteworthy that Manuel Neuer had retired from international football after Germany was eliminated from the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024 Championship after losing to Spain, which later won the title.

But German national team coach Julian Nagelsmann convinced Neuer to reverse his decision to retire from international football in light of the many injuries to Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and the lack of complete conviction in relying on goalkeeper Oliver Baumann in the starting lineup.

Neuer played a normal match against Paraguay and was able to save one penalty kick, which was not enough for the “Manschaft” to qualify for the round of 16, so the match represents a sad memory forever, despite the personal digital achievement.