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EURO 2024

How Germany’s golden oldies are leading the push for Euro 2024 glory

With a combined age of 106, Germany's three remaining 2014 World Cup winners Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos are leading the hosts' charge for Euro 2024 glory.

Published: 18 June 2024 10:12 CEST

Germany's midfielder #08 Toni Kroos (C), Germany's forward #13 Thomas Mueller (R) and Germany's goalkeeper #01 Manuel Neuer (L) celebrate on the pitch after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Germany and Scotland at the Munich Football Arena in Munich on June 14, 2024. Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

Friends off the pitch, Neuer, Müller and Kroos are the only players in the 26-man squad to have each played over 100 games for Germany.

But not only are they the most experienced members of the squad, they can also remember a time when Germany were on top of the football world.

Since a semi-final elimination to France at Euro 2016, the Germans have struggled in major tournaments, with two World Cup group stage exits bookending a last 16 elimination by England at Euro 2020.

After a 5-1 romp against Scotland in the tournament opener, their best performance at a major tournament for almost a decade, Germany’s golden oldies will be hoping for a successful last dance on home soil.

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‘Oldest German squad since 2000’

While the exploits of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz, both 21, stationed either side of the 25-year-old Kai Havertz, have dominated highlights reels, Germany have gone with an experienced squad for the Euros.

With an average age of 28.5, Germany’s squad is the oldest at the tournament, with 10 of the 26 members aged 30 or older.

Germany’s starting XI against Scotland on Friday was the oldest they have fielded at a tournament since Euro 2000, when Lothar Matthaeus led them onto the pitch against Romania.

Neuer, 38, is two years older than coach Julian Nagelsmann. Kroos and Mueller are both 34 – a year older than captain Ilkay Gundogan.

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Gundogan made his Germany debut in 2011 but missed out as Germany lifted the World Cup in Brazil in 2014 with a back injury.

Neuer’s first Germany cap was in June 2009, while Müller and Kroos made their debuts in the same match nine months later.

Kroos, who has confirmed he will end his career at the end of the tournament, had retired from international duty in 2021 but came back with a Euro 2024 win in mind.

And Kroos has undoubtedly been the most impressive of the three, showcasing his calmness and control against Scotland.

Despite being under fire for some pre-tournament mistakes, Neuer remains a calming presence between the sticks and is still an excellent distributor of the ball.

Müller’s playing peak may be behind him but few are better at bringing a diverse cohort together.

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When announcing the Euro 2024 squad, Nagelsmann named Müller “a connector” who “can link the rappers with the yodellers” in the squad.

The veteran forward seems to be doing his part at Germany’s camp in the Bavarian village of Herzogenaurach.

Neuer lauded the “mood and the atmosphere within the camp”, saying “there’s just a really good, colourful mix in our team”.

Neuer said he was “happy to hang out” with the younger squad members, joking that he can “hear conversations that are perhaps a little different to those with Toni Kroos or Thomas Müller”.

Germany's midfielder #08 Toni Kroos (C), Germany's forward #13 Thomas Mueller (R0 and Germany's goalkeeper #01 Manuel Neuer (L) celebrate on the pitch after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Germany and Scotland.

Germany’s midfielder #08 Toni Kroos (C), Germany’s forward #13 Thomas Mueller (R0 and Germany’s goalkeeper #01 Manuel Neuer (L) celebrate on the pitch after the UEFA Euro 2024 Group A football match between Germany and Scotland. Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP

‘Experienced a lot together’

Speaking on Monday, Neuer said the trio “bring a very good perspective” to the squad.

“We’ve already experienced a lot together. We’ve had times with good or bad first games and at the beginning you don’t always know where you stand.”

Neuer said they would make sure Germany “keep our feet on the ground” despite blowing Scotland off the park.

“I think the relationship between us is simply very good and has been over the years too.

“But we don’t just get on well off the pitch, we’re also fine characters on the pitch who always give everything to the team.

“Even if someone isn’t playing, like Thomas isn’t starting, but he is a player who contributes everything.

“We know about his ability and I’m glad I’ve been able to bring such great people and players into my career.”

By Daniel Wighton

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Germany however came crashing back down to earth against Switzerland and were on course for defeat, before Niclas Füllkrug’s stoppage time header snatched a draw – and with it, first place in the group.

It was a wake-up call the hosts needed, particularly with fans already eyeing a fourth Euros crown, and a reminder that coach Julian Nagelsmann has plenty to work on.

‘We underestimated them’

Germany boast a shinier trophy cabinet than their northern neighbours but were famously beaten by the Danes in the Euro 1992 final.

Denmark’s triumph after failing to qualify and then being admitted following the pre-tournament exclusion of Yugoslavia became a fairytale, but Germany still laments taking the Danes lightly.

A Euros and World Cup winner as a player, Berti Vogts coached Germany in that 1992 final and admitted in his column in the RP newspaper on Thursday that his team “underestimated” Denmark.

“In 1992 we lost the Euros final against a great Danish team even though we were the favourites – like the German team is now,” he wrote.

“Everyone thought we had the title in the bag — unfortunately some players did too.”

Well-drilled and with a smattering of excellent players at top clubs, 2020 semi-finalists Denmark resemble Switzerland in many ways.

Vogts said the current Danish incarnation may not boast the same level of quality as their 1992 counterparts, but that the pressure is well and truly on the Germans.

“The Danes were hungry for success and carefree, they just played football and took us by surprise – also because we underestimated them.

“The German team should not make that mistake now. The Switzerland game was therefore an important warning shot.”

Questions for Nagelsmann

Germany won just three of 11 games in 2023 but are yet to lose in 2024, winning five times and drawing twice, thanks at least in part to Nagelsmann picking the same starting XI.

The coach only deviated from his starters when forced through injury or unavailability.

The policy may have given Germany stability, but it cost him centre-back Jonathan Tah for the Denmark clash, after the defender picked up a second yellow card against Switzerland.

In his place, Borussia Dortmund’s talented yet unpredictable central defender Nico Schlotterbeck will line-up on Saturday.

Antonio Rudiger is also in doubt for the clash with a hamstring injury, although Schlotterbeck said Thursday: “I hope it works out that he returns.”

“I had the same injury already and it’s not easy to get out of your mind.”

Fans of the German national football team gather on June 23, 2024 in Berlin at the fan zone close to Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate. Photo by Joerg CARSTENSEN / AFP

Schlotterbeck said the Germans knew “actually everything” about the Danes.

“The whole match plan, defence, offence. We know about Denmark and how we will play them,” he said.

The 24-year-old looked forward to the match in his home stadium on Saturday, saying Dortmund’s usual yellow wall would become a “wall of white.”

While Tah’s absence will force Nagelsmann’s hand, he may be tempted to replace Arsenal forward Kai Havertz with Niclas Füllkrug, who has scored twice off the bench so far.

Since making his debut aged 29 in 2022, Füllkrug has 13 goals to Havertz’s seven – with the Dortmund striker normally coming off the bench.

Füllkrug, who was playing second division football just two seasons ago, said he was not concerned about his role as supersub.

“The title is so much more important than the individual.”

By Daniel WIGHTON