Former keepers Jens Lehmann and David Seaman have named Manuel Neuer as the world’s best goalkeeper, snubbing the likes of and Alisson Becker.
Speaking on the Seaman Says podcast, the pair were discussing Germany’s chances at the upcoming in Qatar when the question about whether 36-year-old Neuer is still the country’s No.1 was raised.
Both Lehmann and Seaman were in agreement in declaring the shot stopper as not only the best German keeper but the world’s best too.
‘I think he is still the No.1 for Germany and the best in the world, because his physical strength is fantastic, as is his mental strength,’ said Lehmann.
There are two other guys: [Kevin] Trapp from Frankfurt and [Marc-Andre] ter Stegen from Barcelona. I hope that they would compete a little bit more because that would even improve Manuel a little bit.
‘The standard has to be there because [Neuer’s previous success] doesn’t guarantee him anything. You know how it is, if your next game is a bad game you’ll be questioned.’
For the last decade Neuer has been widely considered to be the best in his position thanks in large to his incredible haul of trophies that includes nine Bundesliga titles, two Champions Leagues and the 2014 World Cup as well as countless individual awards.
But in recent years that status has been questioned, partly due to his erratic performances at the 2018 World Cup and partly because of the rise of other outstanding keepers such as Liverpool’s Alisson, Chelsea’s Mendy, Manchester City’s Ederson and Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Given his age Neuer’s time at the top is seemingly under threat but Seaman isn’t so sure, still rating the German very highly.
He said: ‘People always ask me who’s the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment and I still say Manuel Neuer.
‘Neuer has been doing it for so long and he’s won everything and yet his standard is still up there.’
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