Manuel Neuer lifted five trophies in 2020. He made this possible with incredible saves and strong performances from himself in goal. Time after time over the past calendar year he thwarted attackers. As a result, Neuer has been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper at The Best FIFA Football Awards. fcbayern.com looks back at his extraordinary displays in 2020.
1. The Lisbon wall
Neuer faced two of the best attackers in Europe in the Champions League final in Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, but neither of them managed to beat the Bayern captain. The 18th minute was particularly memorable with several world-class saves. First, Neuer fended off against Neymar and then blocked the Brazilian’s second attempt with an incredible flying save (see picture). Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel spoke afterwards of "unfair competition" with a smile. After all, PSG last failed to score in a game in 2016. The trophy clearly had Neuer's name on it.
2. Neuer secures eighth league title
A Robert Lewandowski goal had put Bayern ahead and on course to wrap up the 2019/20 Bundesliga title away at Werder Bremen on 16 June, but the celebrations were very nearly delayed. It was only thanks to Neuer's insane reflexes in stoppage time that Bayern secured the title with two games to spare. Yuya Osako's header flew dangerously towards the lower corner, but the GOATkeeper dived and kept the ball out. It meant Bayern were champions of Germany for an eighth straight year.
3. Manu's arm
Bayern gave up a two-goal lead and almost fell behind against Borussia Dortmund in the DFL Supercup. Shortly after the vistitors had levelled at 2-2, Erling Haaland was through one-on-one with Neuer and fired a shot towards the bottom left corner from around 16 yards. But the two-time treble winner stayed upright, made himself big and quickly extended his arm to deny the prolific Norwegian. And FCB went on to lift yet another trophy.
4. Neuer keeps Bayern in the game against Sevilla
The Champions League winners' extra-time victory in the UEFA Super Cup against Sevilla was also down to Neuer. The four-time World's Best Goalkeeper produced save after save. He denied Luuk de Jong from close range in the 46th minute before twice thwarting Youssef En-Nesyri in the 87th and 91st minute. Those stops meant Javi Martinez was able to head Bayern to victory in extra-time.
5. Salzburg held by Neuer
The desperation was written right on the face of Red Bull Salzburg's Enock Mwepu. "How did he keep it out?" could be read clearly in his eyes. After Neuer parried Mergim Berisha's shot, the ball landed at Mwepu's feet. The Zambian struck immediately, but Neuer got up quickly and steered the ball over the crossbar with his shoulder. Yet another simply unbelievable save.
Robert Lewandowski has also been nominated for The Best FIFA Men's Player. We look back at his year:
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