Manuel Neuer: The modern-day goalkeeping icon

The whole of football knows: the giant with the charming smile and commanding presence on the pitch 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 2027, he’s got time to add yet more chapters to his remarkable career.

When Neuer arrived at the Allianz Arena as a 25-year-old in 2011, 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.

Neuer is one of the most decorated players in Bayern history with a total of 33 club 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 597 competitive appearances for Bayern, keeping 269 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.”

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.”

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.”

This season, veteran Neuer has also proved to be a role model for fellow goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, who has made 18 competitive appearances across all competitions in the 2025/2026 season. “Ulle came straight over, Manu came straight over – and both congratulated me on my performance,” said Urbig, for example, after his strong display in the last Bundesliga matchday at Wolfsburg (1-0). Neuer is a true team player; the trio of Neuer, Urbig and Ulreich work together perfectly.

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.

Neuer continued to produce standout performances on the international stage during the latest impressive campaign. In the Champions League, for example, the 40-year-old shone in the 2-1 quarter-final win at Real Madrid and in the semi-final second leg against PSG (1-1). The Spanish newspaper AS wrote after his stellar performance at the Bernabéu: 'Neuer put in a heroic performance.' The German can still hold his own against the very best in the game – Mbappé, Vinicius or Dembélé.

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.

Online Store: Get the new 26/27 goalkeeper jersey now with free printing of Neuer & Ulreich until 17 May 2026.