Recalling Walkmans and Admitting a Generational Gap: Neuer Reveals His Locker Room Woes

The 2014 World Champion had already retired from international football in August 2024, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen's long-term injury at Barcelona necessitated special "measures."

The Bayern Munich captain, who has just recovered from a calf injury, has thus arrived for his fifth World Cup and will start in goal for Germany's opening match against Curacao on Sunday.

"I have to be honest and say that at the beginning, I had a Walkman. A Discman was already top-of-the-line," Neuer remarked, referring to a conversation with his fellow goalkeeper Oliver Baumann, who mentioned owning a portable CD player.

Baumann, four years Neuer's junior from Hoffenheim, played in the qualifiers and the last two warm-up matches, but "Nationalelf" coach Julian Nagelsmann announced that Neuer would be the tournament's number one.

However, the pair get along well and, among other things, discussed how younger players like Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz (both 23) speak a German that older national team members don't always understand. "I think if we're all pulling in the same direction, then it's fine if our language is a little different," Neuer joked.

The experienced 124-cap international admitted, however, that one modern-day advancement also applies to him.

"I eat a gluten-free and lactose-free diet. I don't have allergies, intolerances, or anything like that. I simply know that it helps me get into shape faster, and then I can start the next training session positively. I've had very good experiences with it since 2017," Neuer concluded, according to DPA.