Manuel Neuer has lengthy cemented his legacy as one of many best goalkeepers in soccer historical past, anchoring the place at an elite stage for greater than 20 years whereas accumulating each main trophy accessible. Now, coming off a record-breaking marketing campaign on the 2026 World Cup, the German legend is getting ready for the 2026–27 season to be his final as an expert participant.
The 40-year-old shot-stopper, who turns 41 subsequent March, earned a contract extension with Bayern Munich and a shock return to the German nationwide crew for the 2026 World Cup. His present deal runs via June 2027, marking what he expects will probably be his closing month between the posts.
Talking to reporters from Bayern’s preseason coaching camp in Tegernsee, Neuer opened up about his future: “In 85% of circumstances, I most likely would have retired, however with this crew, the employees, and the teaching employees, it’s merely a pleasure. We all the time have the chance to compete for each title. We’re proper on the prime with this crew.”
The veteran captain emphasised that the tradition contained in the Bayern locker room finally satisfied him to return for one final run. “That’s why this squad, the crew, and the construction we now have on the membership are a part of the 15% that made me say: ‘I positively should preserve going.’ It’s merely an excessive amount of enjoyable. I’m doing it for myself as a result of I do know I’m nonetheless able to serving to the crew after I’m wanted. And I’ve the complete help of my household and associates,” he added.
Manuel Neuer and Bayern Munich previous to the summer time coaching camp at Stadion am Birkenmoos. (Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Photographs)
Whereas younger keeper Jonas Urbig was anticipated to step by step take over the reins, the veteran as soon as once more shouldered the majority of the workload throughout the 2025-26 marketing campaign. In a season the place Bayern captured a home treble, profitable the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and German Tremendous Cup, and reached the UEFA Champions League semifinals, Neuer logged 37 appearances, conceding 40 objectives whereas conserving 11 clear sheets.
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Regardless of sustaining his standing as Bayern’s undisputed No. 1, Neuer acknowledged that he’s treating the upcoming season as a farewell tour. “I don’t go into matches considering: ‘That is my final recreation,’ no matter whether or not it is perhaps my closing look in a single stadium or one other. However actually this time, it actually does really feel like I’m going to retire,” he affirmed.
Neuer’s legacy as a World Cup legend
Following Euro 2024, Neuer initially stepped away from worldwide responsibility, seemingly closing a storybook chapter with Die Mannschaft that peaked with a 2014 World Cup title. Nevertheless, his enduring kind prompted head coach Julian Nagelsmann to recall him for the 2026 match in North America, a stint that etched his title into the document books.
By taking the sector in Germany’s group-stage match in opposition to Ivory Coast, Neuer turned the all-time chief for World Cup appearances by a goalkeeper with 21. That efficiency pushed him previous former French captain Hugo Lloris, who beforehand held the document with 20 matches throughout 4 tournaments.
He additionally tied Lothar Matthaus’ nationwide document by showing in his fifth profession World Cup, spanning from 2010 to 2026. Moreover, at 40 years and 79 days outdated, he surpassed Matthaus because the oldest German participant ever to function in a significant worldwide match.
Goalkeepers with probably the most FIFA World Cup appearances
Manuel Neuer (Germany): 21 gamesHugo Lloris (France): 20 gamesClaudio Taffarel (Brazil): 18 gamesSepp Maier (Germany): 18 gamesIker Casillas (Spain): 17 gamesPeter Shilton (England): 17 gamesFabien Barthez (France): 17 gamesDino Zoff (Italy): 17 gamesAndoni Zubizarreta (Spain): 16 gamesFernando Muslera (Uruguay): 16 video games
