Manuel Neuer chases third Champions League title in final season
In brief
- Neuer, 40, targets third Champions League title in his final Bayern Munich season
- Contract runs through June 30, 2027; Champions League final scheduled for Madrid on June 5
- Goalkeeper holds record for most Champions League appearances by German player with 160+ games
- Neuer won the trophy in 2013 and 2020; only goalkeeper to win European treble twice
The pursuit of a final crown
Neuer estimated there was an 85% chance he would have retired before this season even started, if not for the quality of the current Bayern squad. That's the measure of his commitment—a goalkeeper who has already reshaped what longevity means at the elite level.
His two previous Champions League victories tell the story of his resilience. He lifted the trophy in 2013, when Bayern dismantled Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, and again in 2020, when they steamrolled through a pandemic-altered tournament in Lisbon. That 2020 triumph made him the only goalkeeper in history to win the European treble twice—a distinction that still stands.
The road ahead is steep. Bayern were eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals of last season's Champions League, a reminder that the competition's elite remain formidable. He has acknowledged the difficulty of the task, naming Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal, and Barcelona among the formidable opponents standing in Bayern's way.
A career defined by durability
With over 160 Champions League appearances, Neuer holds the record for the most by a German player in the competition's history. He has captained Bayern Munich since 2017 and has collected more than 30 major trophies across his career.
That longevity hasn't come without cost. He missed nearly two full seasons from 2017 to 2019 with foot injuries, and suffered a broken leg in a skiing accident in late 2022 that sidelined him for most of 2023. Yet he's returned each time, a testament to both his physical resilience and his hunger to compete at the highest level.
Goalkeepers have played late into their careers before. Gianluigi Buffon played until 45, and Dino Zoff won a World Cup at 40. Neuer's path is different—he's not chasing records for their own sake. He's chasing one more trophy, one last moment to define a career already among the sport's greatest.
Bayern Munich's Champions League journey this season kicks off with a league phase match against FK Bodo/Glimt on September 10, 2026. The road ends, for whoever survives, at the final in Madrid on June 5, 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Why hasn't Neuer retired yet at age 40?
Neuer estimated there was an 85% chance he would have retired before the 2026/27 season if not for the quality of Bayern's current squad. The opportunity to compete for one final Champions League title at a top club kept him playing.
How many Champions League titles has Neuer won?
Neuer has won the Champions League twice: in 2013 when Bayern defeated Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, and in 2020 when Bayern won the tournament in Lisbon. He's pursuing a third title this season.
What makes Neuer's 2020 treble win historic?
Neuer's 2020 European treble made him the only goalkeeper in history to win the treble twice. This achievement remains unmatched by any other goalkeeper.
How long has Neuer been Bayern's captain?
Neuer has captained Bayern Munich since 2017, and has collected more than 30 major trophies across his career with the club.
