Bild: Whether Neuer can return to the German team depends on Nasco, the real relationship between the two is complicated

Recently, discussions on whether 39-year-old Neuer may return to Germany to participate in the 2026 World Cup are rampant. According to Biography, Neuer has a key premise for his return, and Nagelsman must take the initiative to have a private conversation with him and express his needs and trust.

German media said that the complex relationship between the two is the core of this issue. It is understood that when Neuer announced his withdrawal from the national team in August 2024, there was a problem with his communication with Nagelsman.

It is said that Neuer tried to contact Nagelsman for a long time on the day of the official announcement but failed, and he could only communicate with sports director Waller first. Interestingly, it was during that conversation with Waller that the two sides were said to have reached a consensus: to retain the possibility of Neuer returning in the 2026 World Cup goalkeeper position.

The real conflict between the two originated from the Bayern era. In January 2023, then-head coach Nagelsman fired Neuer's close friend, goalkeeper coach Tapalovic. Neuer said bluntly in an interview afterwards that he felt that "the heart was taken away", calling it "the most cruel experience in his career." Despite this, the two were able to cooperate professionally in the national team later, and Nagelsmann also confirmed Neuer's position as No. 1 goalkeeper before the 2024 European Cup.

Bodiac further revealed that Neuer himself "can imagine" to cooperate with Nagelsmann again for the 2026 World Cup, provided that Ter Stegen, who is currently unstable in Barcelona, ​​will not be able to play healthy at that time.

However, Neuer is currently unwilling to discuss the matter publicly. It is said that this is out of respect for the current No. 1 goalkeeper Bowman and other goalkeepers, and he does not want his statement to affect the status of his teammates. Now, the ball hit Nagelsman again, as Neuer said: "He has to ask me first."