Euro 2024: Neuer surpasses Lahm record, trails only Ronaldo and Maldini in Europe
i

Germany's Manuel Neuer started for the 35th time at an international tournament against Scotland at Euro 2024 (Imago/Steinsiek.ch)

Euro 2024: Neuer surpasses Lahm record, trails only Ronaldo and Maldini in Europe

Seye Omidiora 20:17 - 14.06.2024

The goalkeeper made his 35th start at a major international competition against Scotland, taking him ahead of Philipp Lahm and behind Paolo Maldini and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was selected from the off for the 35th time in the national team’s Euro 2024 opener against Scotland

Germany vs Scotland

The Bayern Munich goalkeeper has been a mainstay for Germany in major international tournaments since his debut in June 2009. 

Neuer made six starts at the 2010 World Cup, five at the 2012 European Championship, seven at the 2014 global showpiece, six starts at Euro 2016, three at the 2018 World Cup finals, four at Euro 2020 and three starts at the global competition in Qatar two years ago before Friday’s start against Scotland. 

Manuel Neuer
Manuel Neuer started for the 35th time at an international tournament against Scotland at Euro 2024 (Imago/Fussball-News Saarland)

Neuer closes in on Maldini, trails Ronaldo

Julian Nagelsmann handing Neuer his 35th start at a major tournament means he overtakes former Germany captain Philipp Lahm (34) and is behind only Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (43) and Italy’s Paolo Maldini (36) for Europeans with the most starts in the leading competitions. 

Neuer is likelier to surpass Maldini at Euro 2024, while Ronaldo is expected to add to his 43 starts at the finals. 

What comes next? 

Barring an injury, Neuer should add to his 35 international starts at World Cups and European Championships with Germany facing Hungary and Switzerland on June 19 and 23, respectively.