Manuel Neuer has given a frank assessment of his future as he gets ready to start what is expected to be his 21st year as a professional player. The 40-year-old Bayern Munich shot-stopper confessed that the strain of competing at the top level is getting harder to handle, and he now feels there is an 85% chance that the coming season will be his final one.
In a conversation with the Bundesliga for their latest “Midweek Interviews”, Neuer stated that he is still in strong form and has been pleased with Bayern’s preparations for the new campaign. Even with a busy summer schedule that included visits to the United States, South Korea, and Hong Kong, he mentioned that he had no real issues with jet lag and believed the squad had prepared effectively.
Neuer considers his options for the future
Neuer admitted that carrying on his playing days is becoming tougher, not just because of the physical toll but also due to the duties that come with his standing in the squad. He highlighted, though, that he is eager for the season and plans to put in maximum effort before settling on a choice.
“It is simply a physical sensation that I have, and it is also tough and draining to compete,” Neuer told DFL. He added that the expectation to keep up his performance, along with his key part in the team, also adds to the difficulty.
For the time being, the goalkeeper is fully focused on the upcoming fixtures. He will review the situation once the season wraps up and then determine whether he wants to keep going or if it is time to bring his career to a close.
Neuer currently estimates the chance of hanging up his gloves at the end of the season at 85%. The prospect of finishing with another impressive set of trophies has still given him a boost, with Bayern having the chance to secure a treble for the third time.
Neuer kicks off his 21st season at Bayern
The seasoned goalkeeper also spoke positively about Bayern’s pre-season work. He described the sessions at Säbener Straße as fairly straightforward and said the period at Tegernsee felt like home, while the summer tour was a pleasant experience.
Neuer said he had no trouble adjusting to the time differences, despite the team traveling to the United States before moving on to South Korea and Hong Kong for their training. Once back in familiar territory, Bayern were able to concentrate on drills and their warm-up matches.
The goalkeeper thinks the side performed well in those games and said the preparation phase had left him optimistic about the season ahead. His immediate focus remains on guiding the team through the campaign before making a call on what comes next.
Neuer looks back on career standout moments
When asked to pick his favorite memories from a career that has lasted over twenty years, Neuer joked about how hard it was to narrow it down. He pointed to several key highlights, including his debut season and his first Bundesliga title, before bringing up the treble and the many teammates who shaped his growth.
Neuer said he stays thankful to the players he lined up alongside during his career, explaining that he picked up a great deal from them and that those experiences helped mold the footballer he has become.
The goalkeeper also recognized the many stories that have come out of his time in the Bundesliga. With so many campaigns and accomplishments behind him, he admitted there were simply too many unforgettable moments to list one by one.
Dortmund rivalry still holds a unique place for Neuer
Out of all the games he has featured in, Neuer highlighted matches against Dortmund as especially unforgettable. His background with Schalke made that rivalry particularly meaningful, while the later Bundesliga contests between Bayern and Dortmund brought another layer to it.
Neuer described the “Klassiker” as the most significant fixture in the Bundesliga for him. For roughly ten years, the two clubs were often battling directly for the title, which made their showdowns especially crucial.
Although Leverkusen briefly changed that pattern, Neuer said Dortmund has consistently been Bayern’s main challenger. That history is why he views games against them as some of the most compelling and satisfying contests a professional player can take part in.