- Dier recalls training duels with Neuer
- Calls بايرن ميونيخ legend the greatest ever
- Says English fans undervalue German keeper
The English international has given a glowing tribute to Bayern superstar Neuer, describing the Bayern and ألمانيا captain as the greatest goalkeeper of all time and admitting it was an “honour” to share a dressing room with him. The defender, who joined Monaco after an 18-month spell in Bavaria, reflected on Neuer’s brilliance both in training and matches at 39 years old.
After naming Neuer the GOAT, Dier said: “It was an honour, honestly. I can’t even explain how good he was. You know the best part about him? He was 38 the and 39 now, and still unbelievable. After training, Dave and I would stay back for a game, just taking shots from the edge of the ‘D’. I’d take a touch inside, shoot, and there he was in goal, saving everything.”
سابق إنجلترا goalkeeper Ben Foster cut in to say he would always be in the dressing room by that time, leaving it up to the reserve goalkeeper to take on the shots. Dier stressed Neuer is the only first choice goalkeeper he has seen stick around for such a drill on the day before a game, even despite his age.
“We’d laugh about it, but it was serious too, I was genuinely in awe,” he continued. “The first time I faced him feels like a long time ago now, but even then he was special. And I think people, especially in England, don’t fully understand just how good he really is. If you watched him week in, week out, even just for a season, you’d get it. I’ve not seen anything like it. And the funny thing is, everyone would always say to me: ‘Yeah, but he’s not the same as he used to be.’ But trust me, even then, he was on another level.”
Neuer joined Bayern in 2011 from Schalke and has since won 11 الدوري الألماني titles as well as the دوري أبطال أوروبا title and the World Cup with Germany. With Marc-Andre ter Stegen out injured and unwanted at برشلونة, there is even talk of the veteran coming out of retirement to play in goal for the وطني team at next year’s World Cup.
For Vincent Kompany’s side, Neuer’s form remains central to their ambitions while the immediate focus shifts to the كأس ألمانيا ضد Wehen Wiesbaden, which will be followed by a Bundesliga match against Augsburg.
