Manuel Neuer is heading to his fifth World Cup. At 40 years old, the goalkeeper could become the oldest player ever to represent Germany at a major tournament when the squad faces Curaçao on July 14, 2026. That alone would be a story worth telling.

But here’s the thing: his return from international retirement hasn’t just made headlines in the sports pages. It’s also kicked off a minor feeding frenzy in the crypto world, complete with a freshly minted meme token and a web of sponsorship deals connecting German football to digital asset exchanges.

From retirement to record books

Neuer, born March 27, 1986, reversed his decision to step away from the national team after Euro 2024. His last major triumph with…