Challenges Faced by Manuel Neuer: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Manuel Neuer's life and career.

Manuel Neuer is a highly acclaimed German professional footballer renowned for his goalkeeping skills. He currently captains Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. Often regarded as one of history's greatest and most influential goalkeepers, he is nicknamed a "sweeper-keeper" because he proactively leaves his goal to intercept opponents. His exceptional abilities earned him the title of IFFHS's best goalkeeper of the decade (2011-2020).

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2012: Played in Champions League Final, Lost on Penalties

In 2012, Bayern Munich progressed to the UEFA Champions League Final against Chelsea, which went to a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw. Neuer scored his penalty and saved Juan Mata's but Bayern lost 4-3 on penalties at the Allianz Arena.

January 2015: Conceded Four Goals Against Wolfsburg

On January 30, 2015, in a match against VfL Wolfsburg, Neuer conceded four goals, marking the first time he had given up four goals in a league match since joining Bayern in 2011.

April 2015: Missed Penalty in DFB-Pokal Semi-Final

On April 28, 2015, Manuel Neuer was one of four Bayern players to miss in a penalty shootout defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal semi-final.

September 2017: Foot fracture injury

Manuel Neuer had not played a match since fracturing his foot for a second time in September 2017.

September 2017: 100th European Appearance

On September 13, 2017, Neuer made his 100th European appearance in a Champions League match which his side won 3-0 over Anderlecht and suffered foot fracture.

2017: Missed Confederations Cup due to injury and illness

Due to injury and illness, Manuel Neuer missed the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

January 2018: Ruled Out Until January

In September 2017, it was announced that Neuer would be ruled out until January 2018 after suffering another fracture to the same foot.

2018: Missed World Cup Qualifiers due to injury and illness

After starting the team's first three 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, Neuer missed the rest of Germany's qualifying campaign due to injury and illness.

April 2019: Sustained injury against Fortuna Düsseldorf

On 14 April 2019, during a Bundesliga match against Fortuna Düsseldorf, Manuel Neuer tore muscle fibers in his left calf, causing him to miss six matches for Bayern in the season's closing stages.

August 2019: Lost German Super Cup

On 3 August 2019, Neuer's 2019–20 season started with a 2–0 loss to Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup.

November 2022: Skin Cancer Surgeries

In November 2022, Manuel Neuer revealed that he had to undergo three surgeries on his face in order to treat skin cancer, which later motivated him to work with Angelique Kerber to promote sun cream.

December 2022: Leg Fracture While Skiing

In December 2022, Bayern Munich announced that Manuel Neuer had suffered a fracture of his lower right leg while skiing and would be unable to play for the remainder of the season.

December 2022: Broke leg in skiing accident

On 10 December 2022, Neuer announced that he broke his leg during a ski trip at Roßkopf on Spitzingsee in Bavaria, which would force him to miss the rest of the season.

2022: Featured in fourth consecutive World Cup and broke appearance record

In 2022, Neuer was called up to Germany's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first German goalkeeper to feature in four consecutive World Cups. On 1 December 2022, he made his 19th World Cup appearance, breaking the previous record for goalkeepers. Germany failed to progress from the group stage for a second consecutive World Cup.