Manuel Neuer: The modern-day goalkeeping icon

A smiling giant with gloves has revolutionised what it means to be a goalkeeper like few others during his time at Bayern. Since Manuel Neuer moved to Munich from Schalke in 2011, he hasn’t just won countless trophies but also changed how goalkeepers need to play football. Having now extended his contract at Bayern to 2026, he’s got time to add yet more chapters to his remarkable career.

Start of a new age

Manuel Neuer’s first season at Bayern ended in the worst possible fashion, with runners-up finishes in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League. He came back to win them all 12 months later. | © Imago

When Neuer arrived at the Allianz Arena as a 25-year-old, his objectives were clear: “Bayern Munich is the best club in Germany. I know what I want, which is to enjoy success with the club and on a personal level.” But things didn’t get off to the best start, as Bayern finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup and Champions League in his maiden campaign, including the painful ‘Finale dahoam’ defeat to Chelsea. But that was just the kickstart for the greatest era in the club’s history.

A peerless holder of records

The 2020 Champions League is just one of 30 titles that Manuel Neuer has won with Bayern. | © Imago

Neuer is one of the most decorated players in Bayern history with a total of 30 trophies won, including trebles in 2013 and 2020. His individual accolades, such as five World’s Best Goalkeeper awards, underline his brilliance in goal. The Gelsenkirchen native has made a total of 547 competitive appearances for Bayern, keeping 258 clean sheets. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, the club’s former CEO and once a world-class striker himself, previously said of Neuer: “From my perspective, he’s the greatest goalkeeper German football has ever produced.”

The modern goalkeeper

Few goalkeepers can play with the ball at their feet quite like Neuer. | © Imago

Neuer has taken what it means to be a goalkeeper to a whole new level. He’s the archetype sweeper-keeper, cutting out attacks well out of his area with his feet, chest or head. Fans will always remember his famous flicked clearance against Eintracht Frankfurt in 2014 (see image above) as he demonstrated his skills and desire to be involved in play. As such, he’s been an 11th outfield player at times. Italian goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon sung his praises during Euro 2024: “He’s a fantastic goalkeeper who’s turned his physical superiority into his strength. I’d sometimes watch him because I wanted to learn from him and improve myself.” Former Danish goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel once told the Süddeutsche Zeitung that there are very few of Neuer’s calibre around: “I can only think of one or two goalkeepers who can play the position like him.”

A leader on and off the pitch

Neuer was out injured for a year after breaking his leg in December 2022 but made a triumphant comeback in October 2023 against Darmstadt. | © Imago

Neuer has been Bayern captain since 2017 and has come to embody the club’s never-say-die attitude like few others. Even after bad injuries, such as his broken metatarsal in 2017 or his broken leg in 2022, he’s always returned to the peak of his powers. Bastian Schweinsteiger said of his friend and former teammate: “What’s particularly impressive is how you battled back after your bad injury and keep playing at a world-class level.”

Historic moments and unforgettable saves

Neuer caught the crowd’s attention with a clearance out of his goal in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup before saving Romelu Lukaku’s decisive penalty. | © Imago

One of Neuer’s greatest strengths is that he tends to deliver in the biggest games. He was unbeatable in the 2020 Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, denying Neymar and Kylian Mbappe numerous times, while also producing notable duels with Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo over the last decade. “Manuel is unique. A goalkeeper at Bayern isn’t always kept busy, but he needs to be there when he’s needed,” said Oliver Kahn of his eventual successor. Many of Neuer’s defensive acts won’t be forgotten, such as his header in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea or his penalty save against Romelu Lukaku in the shootout.

A World Cup winner

Neuer helped Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 with a number of big saves, such as here against Algeria in the round of 16. | © Imago

You also can’t forget Neuer’s role in Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph. His saves against Algeria and France in the knockouts and his clean sheet in the final against Argentina paved the road to success. When Neuer retired from international duty in summer 2024, Rudi Völler said: “In Germany, the land of goalkeepers, Manu stands out among many extraordinary goalkeepers and has revolutionised the goalkeeping game with his style of play.”

The iconic Neuer stands for a career full of dedication, success and innovation. With his latest contract extension, all Bayern fans can look forward to more magical moments from the legendary goalkeeper.

Neuer’s time at Bayern in photos: