Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the new Germany captain, carrying on the club's fine tradition of Die Mannschaft leaders, including Philipp Lahm, Michael Ballack, Oliver Kahn and, most recently, Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Neuer, 30, was almost inevitably given the nod by national team coach Joachim Low ahead of other Bayern notables such as Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng. The world's best keeper was the standout candidate for the role -- a natural leader who has captained Germany on 14 occasions, mostly in Schweinsteiger's stead.
"It makes me proud to be captain of the national team" - @Manuel_Neuer speaking at his first presser as ���� skipper! pic.twitter.com/FycdilmAkg
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) 2 de septiembre de 2016
Neuer made his Germany debut in 2009 while at Schalke, but since joining the Bavarians two years later, he has racked up four league titles and three German Cups. In Bayern's glory year of 2013, he won the Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup, as well as the domestic double.
There was a strong feeling in Germany that Neuer should have won the FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2014 after basking in the glow of a World Cup win in Brazil. In reality, though, despite his imperious form, Bayern's No. 1 was never going to win that coveted award. The winners are a foregone conclusion -- the exclusive reserve of Cristiano Ronaldo or the diminutive Argentinian Lionel Messi. Indeed, it's hard to see Neuer making the final three again anytime soon, unless he scores Bayern's winning goal in the Champions League final after coasting past five men on a mazy, upfield dribble ...
Joking aside, it's a tremendous tribute to Neuer that a goalkeeper actually made that elite shortlist. To simply have Neuer sharing the same stage as those two geniuses was an indication of the German's own mastery of his craft. Goalkeepers are often taken for granted and receive little kudos, but Neuer has taken the art of goalkeeping to dizzying new heights. His "sweeper-keeper" forays way outside of his box have become the stuff of legend, combining rapid speed of thought and express quickness off his line. Impossibly casual flicks and backheels are commonplace, too, and yet you can count his costly mistakes on one hand.
Even when he does make a rare error, the imposing and agile Neuer can consider himself a fortunate goalkeeper. Many referees might have sent him off for his high tackle on Gonzalo Higuain in Germany's 2014 World Cup final victory over Argentina, but Neuer remained on the pitch and Germany carried off the biggest team prize of all.
.@Manuel_Neuer: "@philipplahm & @BSchweinsteiger did great work. I hope I can follow in their footsteps." pic.twitter.com/ZTuEkotNE2
- FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) 2 de septiembre de 2016
He's the first goalkeeper to wear the captain's armband since "King Kahn," who almost single-handedly (or "glovedly") carried his side to the 2002 World Cup final. Bayern's vice-captain will earn his 72nd German cap on Sunday as the World Cup holders begin the defence of their title in Oslo against Norway.