German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has announced his retirement from the national team after fifteen years with the German squad.

In a statement posted on his social media, the Bayern Munich keeper revealed his decision, calling it "difficult," and reflected on his time with the 'Mannschaft,' where he also served as captain.

"It’s been more than fifteen years since my debut in the United Arab Emirates. I was nervous that day. I am proud to have spent so many years with my teammates and to have been captain for seven years until my injury. I am glad that my farewell was at the European Championship in my own country," Neuer said.

Neuer highlighted the 2014 World Cup win in Brazil as "the pinnacle" of his career with the 'Nationalelf' and thanked "all the professionals at the Federation, the goalkeeping coaches, teammates, and fans" for the years shared.

With 124 appearances for Germany, Neuer is the fifth-most-capped player in the history of the national team. He made his debut on June 2, 2009, in a friendly against the United Arab Emirates while still with Schalke 04.

He quickly gained the trust of coach Joachim Löw, who made him the starting goalkeeper for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and he became a regular fixture in the team from then on.

His "pinnacle," as he refers to it, came with Germany’s World Cup win in Brazil in 2014, where he was one of the team's most decisive players and finished third in the Ballon d'Or that year.

In 2016, after the Euro 2016 in France, Neuer inherited the captaincy from Bastian Schweinsteiger and held it until 2023, when Julian Nagelsmann, citing Neuer's injury that kept him out for several months, stripped him of the armband in favor of Ilkay Gündogan.

Neuer has participated in a total of four World Cups and four European Championships, with the last one held in his home country, where the host team was eliminated by Spain in the quarterfinals.

Neuer’s retirement marks the fourth farewell of German players from the national team since the tournament held last July, joining Thomas Müller, Toni Kroos—who also retired from football—and Gündogan.