Neuer reflects on Germany memories after international retirement

Germany icon Manuel Neuer retires from the international game as a World Cup winner with 124 caps to his name.

Transcript

00:00Dear fans, dear football Germany.

00:03Yes, the day had to come at some point.

00:06Today marks the end of my career in the German national football team.

00:10Everyone who knows me knows that this decision was not an easy one for me.

00:16It's been over 15 years since my debut when we played for the United Arab Emirates

00:22and I was extremely nervous.

00:24We have had many ups and downs in the national team.

00:27I think everyone knows the highlight.

00:29The victory in the Maracanã Stadium against Argentina, where we became world champions.

00:34When I look back today, it fills me with pride and also with a lot of gratitude

00:41to have stood on the pitch with all the team colleagues

00:44and to have been captain of the German national football team for over seven years,

00:49up to my injury.

00:51What followed was an addition for me personally

00:54and that I managed to stand on the pitch again at a home European championship was the crowning glory.

01:00My thanks go to all the companions, all the staff of the German national football team.

01:05First of all, of course, to the coaches, the goalkeepers, all the staff members.

01:11We were really a family.

01:13And first of all, to the teammates with whom it has always been fun to train and to be on the pitch.

01:19A special thank you goes to you, of course, dear fans.

01:22You have always supported me in all situations,

01:25no matter where we played with the national team.

01:28The support was always there for me personally and for the team.

01:32And dear fans, a huge thank you from my side.

01:36Personally, I loved wearing the shirt of the German national team.

01:40Thank you very much for that.