Manuel Neuer may not have been able to take to the pitch in FC Bayern’s cup win over VfB Stuttgart, but the 40-year-old still sent out positive World Cup signals during the celebrations in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium
Despite his calf injury, the Bayern captain leapt across the pitch with his team-mates after the 3-0 win
Of course, this did not go unnoticed by the TV cameras. When asked about the scene afterwards, Neuer was relaxed. „It was just a little hop. That’s definitely enough – to celebrate,“ said the goalkeeper at the ARD microphone
Even more important for Bayern and DFB fans, however, was his follow-up statement: „I’m on the right track,“ Neuer said optimistically
Nagelsmann fully backs Neuer
Following his spectacular comeback, the Bayern keeper is set to become the number one for the German national team again at the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada
National coach Julian Nagelsmann has recently emphasized several times how important Neuer is for the DFB team. „From a national team perspective, it’s good that he gets a few more days of rest and can then start with us fully prepared,“ explained Nagelsmann
The injury remains a sensitive issue, however, as Neuer suffered another calf problem a week ago in the Bundesliga match against FC Köln and was substituted early
The 2014 World Cup winner has already been ruled out three times this season due to a torn calf muscle fibre, which is why Bayern, together with the DFB, deliberately decided against taking a risk in the cup final
Neuer trains individually
The German national team will begin its preparations for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday in Herzogenaurach
Until then, Neuer will continue to work individually in order to be fully fit again in time for the start of the tournament
After the pictures from Berlin, it at least seems clear that there is growing hope of a timely return.