Lewandowsi, Casillas, Haaland & world football congratulate Manuel Neuer

The best goalkeeper of all time turned 40 today! To mark Manuel Neuer’s big day, we asked greats of the game from around the world on Instagram about what they think of the World Cup and two-time Champions League winner.

Here’s some of the responses from the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Robert Lewandowski, Iker Casillas, Erling Haaland, Didier Drogba, Andrés Iniesta and many more.

What do you associate with Manuel Neuer?

Replies from German players

Bastian Schweinsteiger: “When I think of Manu, I immediately think of The Wall. He gets to balls where you think it’s impossible. Just world class.”

Philipp Lahm: “With Manu I think about lots of celebrations together for our great titles, which we were usually the last to leave. Manu, happy birthday! Take care and celebrate sensibly.”

Mats Hummels: “The first thing I think of with Manu is that he’s better than anyone else who’s ever played in goal in football.”

Lukas Podolski: “🧱!”

Stars from around the world

Erling Haaland: “Hey guys! He is a wall 😂 Did me so much harm and saved so many shots from me the time we were playing against each other frequently! 😂 One of the best keepers ever to have played football for sure!🙏🏻”

Didier Drogba: “World-class player and looks like a great person too ❤️ Thank you guys for including me in Manuel’s birthday messages. I really appreciate it 🙏🏾 Please wish him a Happy 40th Birthday 🎂 and all the very BEST!!!”

Iker Casillas: “The 2010 World Cup! He was already a star! Such a big character! A magnificent goalkeeper!”

Robert Lewandowski: “When I think of Manu, I think of the legendary revolutionary 😉”

Andrés Iniesta: “An immense goalkeeper. One of the best in the world. A goalkeeper who dignified football. And above all, he revolutionised his position. One of the greatest. Congrats, Manuel!”

Petr Čech: "Winner🥇!"

Edinson Cavani: “Total admiration for Manuel. He’s just incredible in goal.”

Leonardo Bonucci: “I’m really happy to read that, and thank you for thinking of me. When I think about Manuel, the first thing is the Germany-Italy game at Euro 2016. I was thinking, ‘how am I supposed to score against him? He’s covering the entire goal!’ 🤣 Grande Manu! Happy 40th birthday! 🎂🫂❤️“

Olivier Giroud: "A sweeper-keeper. Neuer is in my top 3 best keepers of all time! He plays almost like an additional defender. He comes far off his line to intercept through balls, much like an old-fashioned sweeper. He has redefined this role in the modern game.💪🏼”

Javi Martínez: “Easy one… The runs back that I didn’t make because he was always so ready to cover us! His game reading… 💪🏽”

Ederson: “Manuel Neuer completely changed how it is to be a goalkeeper. His confidence, his technique with both feet, incredible saves and his reading of the game took goalkeeping to another level. He’s a reference for me, one of the best in history. Happy birthday, GOAT🧡”

Pepe Reina: “Wow!! Manu is strength, consistency, physical and mental resilience, and a great interpreter of the game at a tactical level. One of the best, if not the best, goalkeeper I’ve ever played with. Happy one, Manolito!!🎂👏🏻”

Thiago Alcántara: “Safe!”

Sergio Agüero: “A legend. One of the best goalkeepers I played against. I won and lost against him. He’ll go down in history as one of the best.”

Fellow goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon has also spoken about Neuer: