Ter Stegen says Neuer rivalry brought ‘bitterest moment’ of his career

Mark-Andre ter Stegen has admitted that being overlooked in favour of Manuel Neuer for Germany was frustrating, describing the 2018 World Cup as the “bitterest moment” of his career.

The Barcelona goalkeeper, currently on loan at Ajax Amsterdam, spent years competing with Bayern Munich’s Neuer for the national team’s number-one position. Although ter Stegen felt at times that he deserved more opportunities, he said he respected the choices made by Germany’s coaches and held Neuer in the highest regard.

Speaking to German newspaper Sport Bild, ter Stegen was asked about competing with an outstanding goalkeeper during the same era.

“The truth is that Manuel Neuer is not just a great goalkeeper. Let’s not deceive ourselves: he is probably one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time,” ter Stegen said.

“He also enjoyed great respect within the national team, and he deserved that.”

Neuer’s career was also affected by injuries, including a serious foot problem that kept him out for about eight months. Ter Stegen said that competition between the two goalkeepers had ultimately helped both of them improve.

“But injuries also held him back, and who knows better than me, unfortunately, what that means?” he added.

“Nevertheless, I think having a certain level of competition pushes the goalkeeper who gets the chance to play to develop. That is how it was between us.”

Ter Stegen acknowledged that he would have preferred to be Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper, but accepted that the final decision belonged to the coaching staff.

“Of course, the question remains: would I have preferred to be the goalkeeper who played? Absolutely,” he said.

“But the coaches who worked with us in the national team chose Manuel. You have to respect that, and I have to accept it. That is simply part of football.”

‘The bitterest moment’

Ter Stegen also admitted that he did not always conceal his disappointment when he was left out.

“Were there times when I had to suppress my anger and keep my frustration to myself? Did I sometimes swear quietly when nobody was listening? Of course,” he said.

“There were also moments when I felt I perhaps deserved a bigger opportunity.”

Asked specifically about the 2018 World Cup in Russia, ter Stegen identified Neuer’s return to the team as the most painful episode of their rivalry. Neuer had been absent for about eight months after suffering a metatarsal fracture in September 2017 and undergoing surgery.

“It was the bitterest moment for me, but I do not want to go back to talking about it,” ter Stegen said. “In the end, the coach makes the decision. You can be as angry as you like, but it will not change anything.”

Ter Stegen had deputised for Neuer during his absence and produced strong performances, leading him to believe he had a realistic chance of starting at the World Cup.

However, Germany manager Joachim Low restored Neuer to the starting line-up after he played in a friendly against Austria in June 2018, despite his limited number of competitive appearances before the tournament.

Neuer started all three of Germany’s group-stage matches, with ter Stegen remaining on the bench. Germany were eliminated in the first round, their earliest World Cup exit since 1938.