Though the Arsenal man quit the German national team under a cloud, citing racism and disrespect as factors, Neuer prefers to remember happier times
Manuel Neuer has defended Mesut Ozil's record with the German national team, saying: "What he always wanted was to have fun and play football."
Ozil quit Die Mannschaft after their group-stage exit from the 2018 World Cup, citing "racism and disrespect" as factors in his decision and writing in a statement: "I am German when we win but I am an immigrant when we lose."
Neuer was one of several players who strongly denied racism from within the Germany camp in the aftermath, but he has now come out in defence of his former teammate.