"Manuel Neuer has been the best goalkeeper in the world for years" - Germany's Timo Werner
There isn't a goalkeeper in the land who can hold a candle to Bayern Munich and Germany No.1 Manuel Neuer, according to Timo Werner.
Neuer became the first goalkeeper in the history of the Germany national team to reach 100 appearances in Die Mannschaft's final UEFA Euro 2020 warm-up against Latvia. The 35-year-old also equalled Oliver Kahn's Bundesliga record for most clean sheets during the recently ended campaign (204).
Having never scored past Neuer at club level, Werner - a 2020/21 UEFA Champions League winner with Chelsea - is much more comfortable about the prospect of playing in the same team as the five-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper at the upcoming Euros than against him.
"I've scored goals against Bayern, but never against him. Someone else was in goal," former VfB Stuttgart and RB Leipzig forward Werner told media ahead of Germany's Euro 2020 Group F opener against world champions France.
"He's sensational, and has been the best goalkeeper for years. For me, he's the best in the world. In training, if you don't put the ball right in the corner, it's not going in. He has a magnificent aura and is a top-class goalkeeper."
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Few would disagree. Despite playing with a metal plate in his right foot since 2008, Neuer has long been first-choice for club and country. He has reinterpreted what it means to be a modern goalkeeper, becoming the undisputed reference point for the position on account of his world-class abilities in and outside his own penalty area.
Neuer can cement his legacy by adding a maiden European Championship title to a collection that includes nine Bundesliga, two Champions League and 2014 FIFA World Cup winner's medals. The Bayern and Germany captain is playing in his fourth finals, having finished as a runner-up in 2008, and reached the last four in 2012 and 2016.
As well as France, Germany also face Euro holders Portugal and Hungary in Group F. All three of their group fixtures will take place at Bayern's Allianz Arena - Neuer's home since 2011, when he joined the record champions from boyhood club Schalke.
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