Manuel Neuer’s career with the German national team came to a brutal end.

In the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup, Paraguay pulled off a major upset and eliminated the Germans in a penalty shootout (1-1 in regulation, 4-3 on penalties), sending Julian Nagelsmann’s team home very early.

Neuer started the match, and by all accounts, this elimination will mark his final appearance with his country’s national team.

A “farewell” in the hardest possible way for the athlete who has represented his national team since way back in 2009.

A comment by Neuer on the end of his career with the German national team perfectly captures how he feels following the elimination by Paraguay. “It’s incredibly bitter that it ends this way…”

*photo source: AP