Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann has acknowledged he found Manuel Neuer's World Cup recall hard to take, but he is knuckling down as the ultimate team man and may still start their tournament opener.
Neuer, the 2014 World Cup winner, retired from internationals after Euro 2024. Baumann became number one after Marc-André ter Stegen's injury hell but Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann decided to tempt Neuer back just in time for the World Cup in North America.
"At first it was tough, of course. It was not so cool," he told RTL after shining in Germany's 2-1 warm-up win over the United States in Chicago on Saturday.
"But I was immediately clear that I would be there for the team and go to the US. I didn't even think about not coming here."
Neuer's last match was when he was substituted in Bayern Munich's last Bundesliga game of the season on May 16 after feeling his calf.
The 40-year-old was then recalled to the Germany squad but has missed the German Cup final and two World Cup warm-ups since.
Nagelsmann is confident Neuer will be fit for their World Cup first group match against Curacao next Sunday, but Baumann is waiting in the wings just in case.
At Soldier Field against the US, Baumann was as reliable as he had been throughout the entire World Cup qualification campaign.
"I get on great with Manu. Before and after the game we also briefly talked about one or two situations. Everything is fine," he added.
Nagelsmann sang Baumann's praises.
"A great sportsman," the coach said. "I would not have been surprised if he didn't speak to me for two or three weeks."
