Bernd Leno announced that he refused to appear for Julian Nagelsmann’s call-up to join the German national team camp, as he confirmed that he would not be the first goalkeeper for the Mannschaft.
After Neuer’s retirement last August, Nagelsmann announced that Ter Stegen would be the first goalkeeper for Germany, then the Barcelona goalkeeper suffered a serious injury that would keep him out of the stadiums for 8 months.
The option of relying on Leno as the first goalkeeper was raised as he is more experienced, but the surprise was when Nagelsmann spoke to the Fulham goalkeeper and informed him that he would continue as a substitute goalkeeper.
Leno said about this in statements to Bild newspaper, “They told me that I would join but I would not play any matches, that’s why I decided to train in London.”
He also added, “Julian knows that I am always here when the national team needs me and that I can really help the team.”
“But at 32, I’m not new to the national team, I didn’t have any demands when Manuel and Marc were in the national team, but now it’s different,” he continued.
“I’ve played a lot of games in the Bundesliga, the Premier League and internationally, Julian knows what I have, it will always be an honor for me to play for the German national team and that will remain my goal.”
It is worth noting that Leno’s last international match was in September 2021, and the coach subsequently excluded him from participating in Euro 2024.
Germany’s goalkeeper during the international break will be either Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nubel or Hoffenheim goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.
