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Manuel Neuer – Injury, Retirement, and Career Facts

Jack Morgan Bennett • 2026-10-13 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

Manuel Neuer is still shaping the conversation around goalkeeping at 40. The Bayern Munich captain remains a first-choice goalkeeper and, according to the latest reports, could add a fifth World Cup to his career in 2026. A late-season injury and the reported reversal of his international retirement have kept him at the center of German football news.

Few goalkeepers have changed their position the way Neuer has. His willingness to defend far outside the penalty area influenced a generation of keepers, and his record includes a World Cup, multiple Champions League titles and more than a decade of domestic dominance with Bayern.

The facts below bring together his age, club situation, injury status, personal life and World Cup history from the most recent available sources.

How old is Manuel Neuer and how tall is he?

Neuer was born on 27 March 1986 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, which makes him 40 years old today. His full name is Manuel Peter Neuer. He is commonly listed at approximately 1.93 m, or 6 ft 4 in, and he plays as a right-footed goalkeeper.

Age
40

Born 27 March 1986

Club
Bayern Munich

Captain and starting goalkeeper

Position
Goalkeeper

Height 1.93 m, right-footed

International
Germany

World Cup winner

  • Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s captain and first-choice goalkeeper at 40.
  • Injury and retirement questions accompany every update because he is still active in the final stretch of a long career.
  • The 2014 World Cup title anchors a career that already includes four World Cups, with a fifth reportedly possible in 2026.
  • His family life is visible only through public records and limited personal disclosure.
  • Official club stores and licensed retailers are the only recommended channels for buying his No. 1 jersey.
Detail Information
Full name Manuel Peter Neuer
Date of birth
Place of birth Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Height 1.93 m
Weight 92 kg
Shoe size 47
Stronger foot Right
Position Goalkeeper
Current club Bayern Munich
Shirt number 1
National team Germany
Club role Captain

Which team does Manuel Neuer play for?

Neuer plays for Bayern Munich. He joined the club in 2011 after leaving Schalke 04, the team where he grew up. Bayern Munich’s official player profile describes him as the club’s goalkeeper since 2011 and identifies Schalke as his boyhood club.

At Bayern he has been the starting goalkeeper for over a decade and has worn the No. 1 shirt throughout that period. He also serves as club captain.

What is Manuel Neuer’s Bayern Munich career record?

By May 2026, Neuer had made 597 appearances for Bayern in all competitions, according to Bundesliga’s contract report. His record at the club includes 13 Bundesliga titles, five DFB-Pokal trophies and two Champions League wins. After the 2025–26 Bundesliga title, his reported trophy haul at Bayern reached 31.

He reached 500 Bayern appearances in January 2024 during a 3–0 victory over Hoffenheim, a milestone documented in Wikipedia’s career summary. Before Bayern, he made 203 competitive appearances for Schalke and kept 80 clean sheets.

Career longevity

Neuer’s 597 Bayern appearances by May 2026 cover more than a decade of first-team football. The 2026–27 extension means that number is expected to keep growing.

When did Manuel Neuer make his debut?

The exact date of Neuer’s senior debut is not clearly documented. What is well documented is his route through Schalke, where he recorded 203 competitive appearances and 80 clean sheets before moving to Munich.

He also won the European Under-21 Championship with Germany in 2009, before establishing himself as the senior national team’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Is Manuel Neuer injured or retiring?

Both questions have followed him through this season. He reversed his international retirement, while a late-season injury raised doubts about how much he can play in 2026.

What is Manuel Neuer’s current injury status?

A late-season injury raised doubts about Neuer’s fitness for the 2026 World Cup. DW’s profile of the goalkeeper described an injury suffered near the end of the Bundesliga season, while another report mentioned minor calf issues after he was substituted against Köln.

A separate RotoWire player report said Neuer missed training with foot discomfort and could miss a Champions League match. That report did not establish that the problem was long-term.

Earlier in his career, Neuer missed approximately 350 days after a serious foot injury before returning for Bayern against Darmstadt on 28 October 2023.

Unconfirmed fitness details

The late-season injury has not been accompanied by an official statement confirming the exact injury or a return date. The foot discomfort report also left open whether Neuer would miss Champions League action.

When will Manuel Neuer retire?

Neuer announced his retirement from the German national team on 21 August 2024, after 124 senior appearances. The decision was reportedly reversed for the 2026 World Cup, with Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann and DFB director Rudi Völler convincing him to return, according to Goal’s reporting.

Club retirement is a separate matter. Bayern’s one-year contract extension, signed in May 2026, keeps him at the club through the 2026–27 season and indicates that he has not retired from professional football. He was expected to remain Bayern’s goalkeeper at 40.

Neuer is not the only veteran whose late-career decisions draw intense attention. Di Maria – Complete Club History, Retirement & 2026 Status follows another international whose club future was a recurring source of speculation.

Who is Manuel Neuer’s wife and does he have a son?

Neuer keeps his private life out of the spotlight, but some details are part of the public record.

Who is Manuel Neuer’s wife?

Neuer married Nina Weiss in 2017. Weiss is a German equestrian and former handball player. The couple later separated and divorced.

Does Manuel Neuer have a son?

Neuer and his partner Anika Bissel have a son named Luca, born in March 2024. Beyond those basic facts, Neuer has not made his family life a public subject.

What are Manuel Neuer’s World Cup achievements?

Neuer was Germany’s starting goalkeeper at the 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 World Cups, according to Bundesliga’s profile of his World Cup career. He captained the side at the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

His defining moment came in 2014, when Germany defeated Argentina 1–0 in the final in Brazil. Germany finished third at the 2010 tournament.

A reported return for the 2026 World Cup would make it his fifth, and his 20th World Cup match would tie Hugo Lloris for the goalkeeper appearance record.

What is Manuel Neuer’s World Cup record?

Beyond the title, Neuer’s international record includes 124 senior caps and the 2009 European Under-21 Championship. His 2014 performances became a reference point for the sweeper-keeper role: he repeatedly left his penalty area to intercept attacks and launch possession.

Neuer has been Germany’s starting goalkeeper at every World Cup since 2010. The 2026 tournament, if confirmed, would extend that run at age 40.

What does Manuel Neuer’s career timeline look like?

  1. – Born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
  2. 2011 – Joined Bayern Munich from Schalke 04.
  3. 2014 – Won the FIFA World Cup with Germany.
  4. 2019/20 season – Named UEFA Goalkeeper of the Season during Bayern’s Champions League-winning campaign.
  5. – Returned for Bayern against Darmstadt after roughly 350 days out with a serious foot injury.
  6. January 2024 – Made his 500th Bayern appearance in a 3–0 win over Hoffenheim.
  7. – Announced his retirement from the German national team.
  8. May 2026 – Signed a one-year Bayern Munich extension for the 2026–27 season.

What is confirmed about Manuel Neuer’s current situation?

There is a clear line between what is established and what still depends on official confirmation.

Established information Information that remains unclear
Born 27 March 1986 in Gelsenkirchen; listed at 1.93 m tall. The exact injury and expected return date after the late-season setback.
Plays for Bayern Munich as goalkeeper and captain. Whether he will be fully fit for the 2026 World Cup.
Won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. His final retirement timeline beyond the 2026–27 Bayern contract.
Retired from Germany duty on 21 August 2024 after 124 caps. Whether the reported 2026 Germany return becomes official.
Signed a Bayern extension in May 2026 covering 2026–27. Personal-life details that Neuer has not confirmed himself.

Why is Manuel Neuer considered a revolutionary goalkeeper?

Neuer is widely regarded as one of football’s most influential goalkeepers because he expanded the traditional role. His positioning, distribution and willingness to defend outside the box changed what clubs expect from a keeper. Bundesliga’s analysis of his legacy credits him with revolutionising modern goalkeeping.

His 2014 World Cup triumph, 124 Germany caps and extensive trophy record at Bayern place him among the country’s most decorated players. At a time when the sweeper-keeper has become the norm, his career is the reference point for that style.

At the other end of the professional arc, Max Dowman – Arsenal’s 16-Year-Old Record-Breaking Prospect shows how emerging players are now measured against new benchmarks.

Which sources document Manuel Neuer’s career?

Much of the material in this profile rests on official records. Bayern Munich’s own player page confirms his biographical details, while Bundesliga’s published reports document his contract and trophy milestones. DW and Goal have covered his international return, and RotoWire has tracked his injury notes. Wikipedia offers a broader career summary with references.

For the latest on injuries and retirement, official Bayern Munich and DFB channels are the most reliable places to check. Club announcements take precedence over unconfirmed reports.

Ways to stay current

Official Bayern Munich and DFB channels are the first place to check for injury and retirement updates. Contract and squad announcements from the club carry more weight than reports that have not been confirmed by either institution.

What should you remember about Manuel Neuer?

At 40, Manuel Neuer remains Bayern Munich’s captain, a World Cup winner and one of the most decorated goalkeepers of his generation. The 2026 season brings two open questions — his fitness and his final timeline — but his impact on the position is already secured.

What are the most common questions about Manuel Neuer?

Where can I buy a Manuel Neuer jersey?

The official FC Bayern Munich store is the primary recommended source, along with licensed sport retailers. Neuer wears the No. 1 goalkeeper jersey for Bayern and Germany. Availability and sizing vary by region.

Is Manuel Neuer married?

He married Nina Weiss in 2017. The couple later separated and divorced.

What shirt number does Manuel Neuer wear?

No. 1, for both Bayern Munich and Germany. He has used it throughout his Bayern career.

How many Germany caps does Manuel Neuer have?

He earned 124 senior caps before his international retirement in August 2024.

Has Manuel Neuer retired from football?

No. He retired from Germany duty in August 2024 but extended his Bayern contract in May 2026.

How many trophies has Manuel Neuer won at Bayern?

He has won a reported 31 trophies at Bayern, including 13 Bundesliga titles and two Champions League wins.

What is Manuel Neuer’s full name?

Manuel Peter Neuer.

Jack Morgan Bennett

About the author

Jack Morgan Bennett

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