Football National Team: Captain Kimmich Doesn't Understand Discussion About Neuer

Germany's captain, Joshua Kimmich, finds the ongoing discussion about Manuel Neuer's return to the national team perplexing, emphasizing that the focus should be on selecting the best players available.

"Purely sportingly, there should be no discussion, because we want to have the best players in Germany," Kimmich stated at a press conference. He admitted he doesn't understand the "whole discussion" surrounding the 40-year-old Neuer, who is slated to be the team's number one goalkeeper at the upcoming World Cup. Kimmich added, "Manu is the best goalkeeper of all time, is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. For me, the discussion is a bit too negative because we actually have no problem in the goalkeeper position."

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Purely sportingly, there should be no discussion, because we want to have the best players in Germany.

Kimmich also voiced understanding for Oliver Baumann, the Hoffenheim goalkeeper who was initially considered the top choice before Neuer's recall. "I would be disappointed if he hadn't been disappointed," Kimmich said of Baumann, acknowledging the emotional impact of the decision.

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Manu is the best goalkeeper of all time, is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. For me, the discussion is a bit too negative because we actually have no problem in the goalkeeper position.

Head coach Julian Nagelsmann recalled Neuer for the tournament after a two-year absence, a decision announced after the final Bundesliga matchday. Neuer will miss the upcoming friendly against Finland due to a calf issue, with Baumann stepping in as a replacement.

Looking ahead to the World Cup, Kimmich downplayed expectations of immediate victory. "We shouldn't be thinking about finals or the title now," he said. "Somewhere it's a dream and a goal that everyone has in mind. But that doesn't help us at the beginning of the tournament; instead, we should think about the way we want to play football."

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I would be disappointed if he hadn't been disappointed.

Germany, a four-time World Cup winner, begins its campaign on June 14 in Houston against Curaçao. Their group stage opponents also include Ivory Coast on June 20 in Toronto and Ecuador on June 25 in East Rutherford.

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We shouldn't be thinking about finals or the title now. Somewhere it's a dream and a goal that everyone has in mind. But that doesn't help us at the beginning of the tournament; instead, we should think about the way we want to play football.