Manuel Neuer is a name closely linked with FC Bayern's incredibly success in the past decade. Since the goalkeeper joined in the summer of 2011, FCB have won the Bundesliga seven times and the Champions League in 2013. On Wednesday, the 34-year-old signed a new contract and will remain with Bayern fans until 2023. A reason for us to take a closer look at what the name MANUEL NEUER really stands for.
"M" for Meister
Apart from his first season in the FCB jersey, Neuer has been German champion every year with Bayern. He has also won the DFB Cup four times. However, the most successful year was 2013 with the treble victory of Champions League, league and cup, plus the triumph at the FIFA Club World Cup and the UEFA Supercup. In 2014 Neuer finally took the ultimate crown and became world champion with Germany in Brazil.
"A" for authority
Captains together: During the 2019 Audi Summer Tour, Manuel Neuer visited his colleague in the cockpit.
Neuer holds a unique position on the team as goalkeeper, and has been Bayern captain since Philipp Lahm's retirement in 2017. But that didn't change his position as the team's mouthpiece and contact for the coach. Neuer has always led the way and driven his teammates forward.
"N" for national team goalkeeper
Neuer conceded twice in his debut in the national jersey, but he still convinced with a number of strong saves.
Neuer made his senior debut for Germany in June 2009 in a 7-2 friendly win against the United Arab Emirates. He now has the experience of 92 caps and has been the captain since September 2016. He has played at three World Cups as well as two European Championships.
"U" for unbeatable
In April 2015 this free-kick from Marco Reus seemed certain to go in, but Neuer reached out and held onto the ball, and Bayern held onto their 1-0 lead.
The nickname "Neuer the Wall" has been around for a long time, and with good reason. Since moving to Munich, Neuer has kept 127 clean sheets - no other keeper in Europe's top five leagues has equalled this during the same period.
"E" for enduring
In the 2012 Champions League final, Neuer took one of the penalties himself and gave his counterpart no chance, even though he guessed the right way. A year later, he saved Romelu Lukaku's last attempt in the UEFA Super Cup, ensuring a small revenge.
Even with a penalty it's not easy to beat Neuer. Top players such as Cristiano Ronaldo (2012 UCL semi-finals), Fernando Torres (2016 UCL semi-finals) and Romelu Lukaku (2013 UEFA Supercup) have had this painful experience. But from time to time, the goalkeeper has also taken penalties, converting his effort in the 2012 Champions League final.
"L" for lecturer
The best teacher: young talent Christian Früchtl can learn a lot from the former world goalkeeper of the year.
Neuer has already been named World's Best Goalkeeper four times (2013-2016) and is rightly considered one of the best of all time. The Gelsenkirchen native doesn't keep his skills to himself. He is happy to pass them on to youngsters in the joint training sessions. "There's no one better than Manuel Neuer. You can use him as a guide," said goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic.
"N" for new style
Since the beginning of the 2011/12 season, no goalkeeper in the Bundesliga has had as good a pass rate as Neuer with 82% completed. With his style of play he embodies the "modern goalkeeper" like no other. Neuer has taken the goalkeeping game to another level. He often intercepts balls far from his goal as a sweeper - with his foot, chest or head. His skills on the ball make him an important reference point in Bayern's game.
"E" for enthusiastic
Even in training, no ball is allowed past Neuer.
Neuer has won almost everything, but he is still not satisfied. "In order to keep improving, you have to address the weaknesses even after victories," he said in an interview with the club magazine "51". In every training session, he pays close attention to detail and motivates his colleagues if they let up. A winner who fits perfectly with FC Bayern.
"U" for unrelenting
Manuel Neuer has set numerous records during his time at FCB. In the Bundesliga in 2014/15 and 2015/16, he kept 20 clean sheets, surpassing Oliver Kahn's previous record (19 in 2001/02). Since 2011/12, no goalkeeper in Europe's top 5 leagues has kept more clean sheets than Neuer (127 in 242 games).
"E" for esteem
Neuer hasn't just made progress on the pitch. In 2010 he founded the Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation, which looks after disadvantaged children and young people in his home region. In October 2019 he was awarded the Order of Merit of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia for his exemplary social commitments.
"R" for reactions
Neuer has made a name for himself as a sweeper keeper, but his skills on the goal line are equally special. Again and again he reaches out his arms or feet at lightning speed and fends off the ball at the last second. There are many examples of this, including in the 2019 cup final against Leipzig, when he spectacularly deflected the header from Yussuf Poulsen.
Here are all the details of his contract extension:
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