Manuel Neuer has confirmed his second retirement from international football after Germany's unexpected World Cup elimination at the hands of Paraguay.

Reacting to the defeat, the 40-year-old said: “It’s extremely bitter for it to end like this.”

Neuer enjoyed a remarkable international career spanning more than two decades. He began his club career with FC Schalke 04 before completing a move to FC Bayern Munich in 2011.

The veteran goalkeeper had originally stepped away from international duty after UEFA Euro 2024 but made a surprise return for Germany at the World Cup. Following Monday’s defeat, he has once again called time on his international career.

Germany were beaten 4-3 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 1-1 following extra time.

The encounter marked Neuer’s 128th appearance for Germany, leaving him behind Lukas Podolski (130 caps), Thomas Müller (131), Miroslav Klose (137) and Lothar Matthäus, who holds the national record with 150 appearances.

Paraguay will now await the winner of Tuesday’s World Cup quarter-final between France and Sweden, scheduled for 10 p.m. on June 30.