Manuel Neuer: "It's incredibly bitter to finish this way"

Manuel Neuer made a last-minute inclusion in Germany's squad for the World Cup, hoping to lead his team to glory. However, the campaign proved disappointing, culminating in a Round of 16 exit against Paraguay. This early elimination also marked a bitter end to his international career.

When asked if this was his final tournament or if he still had the energy to contribute to building a new team, he responded: "No, it's incredibly bitter to finish this way. We had everything in our own hands, and I believe we had the right players to perform better on the pitch, but as a team, we simply couldn't display better football today."

He described the mood in the locker room: "Our coach said a few words, but otherwise, it's very quiet. Everyone is saddened by the elimination."

However, Germany struggled to break down Paraguay's defense, even from a purely tactical standpoint: "We lacked the tools and sharpness to create scoring opportunities. Our plan was to penetrate behind their defensive line using our wingers. We also wanted, similar to Kai Havertz's goal, to break through Paraguay's retreating defense with quick passes."

Does this mean Germany is now merely a second-tier team by international standards?

"If you want to compare us to teams like France or England, then perhaps we are a level below." However, Neuer didn't entirely agree with his teammate Kai Havertz, who described Germany as simply an "average" team: "Those are his words," but he still added: "It's clear that we need to beat an opponent like this."