"That wasn't exactly cool": Oliver Baumann speaks his mind about being dropped from the German national team

The conversation then turned to Manuel Neuer (40) and Julian Nagelsmann's (38) decision to bring the multiple World Goalkeeper of the Year back for the World Cup and install him as number one ahead of Baumann.

"It was tough at first; I didn't feel entirely comfortable with it," Baumann admitted. Nevertheless, quitting the national team never crossed his mind: "From the outset, it was clear that I'm here for the team. Not coming wasn't an option; it's my World Cup too. I want to help and do my bit. Now it's about focusing fully on myself and the team."

Pressed to elaborate on his remark, the 1899 Hoffenheim shot-stopper preferred to move on: "I'll leave it at that and not go into it any further. The situation is what it is. We have a few weeks ahead of us and we want to do everything we can to ensure success."

He also stressed that his relationship with Neuer remains strong: "Our bond is fine and we'll do whatever it takes to help the team succeed."

Nagelsmann confirmed that Neuer, fully recovered from his calf injury, will train with the squad upon their arrival in Winston-Salem and start in goal for Germany's World Cup opener against Curaçao: "He will join the squad in training as soon as we arrive in Winston-Salem – that is the plan – and will then play against Curaçao."

He also paid "a huge compliment" to Baumann, the former Freiburg shot-stopper who had deputised for Neuer in the two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada, noting that Baumann had "put himself at the service of the team" in an exemplary manner.

Nagelsmann is untroubled by the prospect of Neuer making a cold start against Curaçao: "He's doing well; he's on his way to peak fitness. At his age, he doesn't need time to settle in. He can cope with pressure."