While he may have been more prone to mistakes in recent seasons, with his once-panther-like reflexes dulled compared to the peak of his career, and his speed and agility not as sharp, these later, less impressive years can’t erase his brilliant goalkeeping career and deprive Manuel Neuer of the title of one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.He is a true legend of Bayern Munich, the German national team, and European and world football. As things stand, he will continue to be Bayern’s goalkeeper even as he enters his fifth decade of life. Goalkeeper signed an extension with the Bavarians today, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2026. The 2025/26 season will be his 15th at the Munich giant, and on March 27, 2026, he will turn 40. It’s already clear that Bayern will have a hard time finding such stability between the posts after he’s gone.𝐈𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐂 😮💨✍️ @Manuel_Neuer has extended his contract with #FCBayern by a further year to 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.🔗 https://t.co/rvB783I79W#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/uuSYIraVnL— FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) February 3, 2025 “Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper of his generation and an icon of Bayern. When we talk about goalkeepers of this era, Neuer is the first association, and that is true worldwide. He is an absolute example both on and off the pitch. We are honored that this unique and successful relationship will continue,” said Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director.Three serious injuries have marked the last third of the long-time German international’s career. He fractured his metatarsal bone in April and September of 2017, and in December 2022, he suffered a shinbone fracture that kept him off the pitch for ten months. Between those injuries, he won his second European championship with Bayern, and his crucial save in a one-on-one against Neymar is remembered as one of the key moments that ensured Bayern’s victory in the 2020 final.Manuel Neuer extends with Bayern until 2026—15 years later and he’s still popping up in places you don’t expect him 👐 pic.twitter.com/BxLxCvKjI8— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 3, 2025 “I truly enjoy playing football and want to continue as a Bayern player. I am still hungry, and I’m excited to spend another year at this special club. We still have many goals to achieve together,” Neuer said.In his 14 seasons at the club, the veteran German goalkeeper has won 28 trophies, and it’s realistic that he will reach 30. Bayern is currently leading the Bundesliga, will play in the knockout stages of the Champions League, and will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer. He will also have a chance to win more titles in the 2025/26 season.Back in 2011, Bayern paid 30 million euros to Schalke for the goalkeeper from Gelsenkirchen, who now boasts 11 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League trophies, and a World Cup title with Germany. He has been named Europe’s best goalkeeper five times and has been part of the Champions League’s best XI three times.Dortmund finally win away, late drama in MunichIt seems that after his new contract ends, Neuer will bid football farewell with an “Auf Wiedersehen.” Until then, Bayern will be considering his long-term successor. If Jonas Urbig, Daniel Peretz, or Alexander Nubel don’t prove to be suitable replacements, the Bavarians are eyeing Brighton’s Bart Verbruggen. But that’s a story for the long term.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 20Friday Werder – Mainz 1-0 (1-0)/Bittencourt 14/Saturday Bayern – Holstein Kiel 4-3 (2-0)/Musiala 19, Kane 45+2, 46, Gnabry 54 – Porath 62, Skryzubski 90+1, 90+3/Bochum – Freiburg 0-1 (0-1)/Sildilla 34/Heidenheim – Dortmund 1-2 (0-1)/Honsak 64 – Guirassy 33, Beier 63/St.Pauli – Augsburg 1-1 (1-0)/Banks 17 og – Komur 83/Stuttgart – M’ gladbach 1-2 (0-1)/Elvedi 49 (og) – Ngoumou 25, Kleindierst 82/Union Berlin – RB Leipzig 0-0Sunday Eintr. Frankfurt – Wolfsburg 1-1 (0-0)/Uzun 81 – Tuta 50/Leverkusen – Hoffenheim 3-1 (2-0)/Boniface 15, Frimpong 19, Schick 51 – Orban 62/
