Marc-André ter Stegen is set to return to goal for the German national team. Ahead of the Nations League classic against the Netherlands, however, the 34-year-old spoke not only about his new role under Jürgen Klopp but also at length about his longtime rival, Manuel Neuer.
For now, Klopp has designated Ter Stegen as the number one goalkeeper. Neuer had ended his career with the national team after the last World Cup. For many years, the two goalkeepers competed within the DFB for the spot between the posts.
Neuer and ter Stegen apparently haven’t been in close contact recently. At the press conference ahead of the match against the Netherlands, the goalkeeper was asked whether Neuer had already congratulated him on his return and new role.
“Sorry about that—my mistake.”
“No, no. He also recently became a father again. Congratulations to him on that as well—I hadn’t congratulated him yet. Sorry about that—my mistake,” ter Stegen explained, thereby offering a personal apology to his former DFB teammate.
The two goalkeepers haven’t met in person for quite some time either. “We saw each other once during a short vacation. But that was a while ago—even before the World Cup.”
Despite the lack of contact, ter Stegen continues to follow what’s happening with his longtime rival. Even at 40, Neuer is still the number one goalkeeper at FC Bayern. Whether the Munich native will continue his career beyond the current season remains to be seen.
Ter Stegen wishes Neuer a “nice send-off.”
Ter Stegen made it clear that he wishes Neuer nothing but the best for the rest of his career. “Of course, it’s great for him that he’s healthy and able to play. I also hope he has a wonderful finale,” said the national team goalkeeper.
The 34-year-old was particularly clear afterward when assessing Neuer’s significance for German soccer: “He’s a legend of German soccer, and I have the utmost respect for what he’s done for soccer in Germany.”
With these remarks, ter Stegen finds remarkably warm words for the goalkeeper with whom he competed for the number one spot on the DFB for many years.
Now a new chapter is beginning for ter Stegen himself. When announcing his first DFB squad, Klopp named him the starting goalkeeper for the time being. “He’s fit and brings experience to the table. He’s making a very good impression,” the national team coach explained his decision.
Ter Stegen is set to return between the posts for Germany against the Netherlands for the first time in 15 months. For the goalkeeper, who is currently on loan to Ajax Amsterdam, this comeback will be a special match—after all, the game is taking place in Amsterdam, of all places.