Manuel Neuer Sets a Goalkeeper Record with Most Appearances at the World Cup When Germany Was Knocked Out

German national team goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. (Photo: Twitter/@DFB_Team_EN)

JAKARTA — Manuel Neuer has successfully set a record at the 2022 World Cup. Unfortunately, that record cannot help Germany qualify for the round of 16.

The Bayern Munich player is listed as the goalkeeper with the most appearances at the World Cup. He made this record when Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 in the last Group E preliminary match at the Al Bayt Stadium, Friday, December 2, WIB.

The match was Neuer's 19th appearance in the world's biggest football competition. Neuer surpassed the legendary Brazilian national team goalkeeper Claudio Taffarel. He also surpassed Germany's legendary goalkeeper Sepp Maier in appearances.

In addition, the match against Costa Rica also marked Neuer's 117th appearance with the German national team.

"Manuel Neuer made a record 19th World Cup appearance tonight, which means he has now played more matches [at the World Cup] than any other goalkeeper", Bayern Munich tweeted on Friday, December 2, 2022.

Neuer is one of the best goalkeepers in the world since making his debut for Germany at the 2010 World Cup which took place in South Africa. At that time he was appointed to replace the injured Rene Adler ahead of the tournament.

Since then, Neuer's position in the German national team has been irreplaceable. He was part of the squad that lifted the 2014 World Cup trophy in Brazil after beating Argentina in the final.

His performance in that edition of the competition allowed him to bring home the Golden Gloves award. Unfortunately, in the two World Cups after that, he could not help Germany to the knockout rounds.

This year they had to go home in the group stages after finishing in third place, behind Japan and Spain. They were previously eliminated in the same round when they arrived as defending champions in Russia in 2018.