World Cup stars of the Bundesliga: Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer
After making a surprise return to Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad, Bayern Munich's talismanic shot-stopper Manuel Neuer will be out to earn a second winners' medal at the FIFA World Cup, after playing a key role in his nation's memorable success at Brazil 2014.
Name: Manuel Neuer
Club: Bayern Munich
Nation: Germany
International debut: 2 June 2009
Caps: 124
International goals: -
Stats correct as of 23 May 2026
How was his 2025/26 season?
While Neuer's starts were curtailed by injuries this season, he still managed 22 league appearances, recording six clean sheets as Bayern won their 34th Bundesliga title. The 40-year-old also helped the Bavarians reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, and put in a particularly impressive performance in the home leg of his club's clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite whispers that he might hang up his gloves for good, the evergreen custodian signed a new one-year contract extension with Bayern in mid-May, a move that will, remarkably, take him into a third decade as a professional footballer. Over the course of this incredible 21-year trophy-laden club career, he has shown time and again why he is regarded as one of the greatest 'keepers of all time.
What he brings to the national team
Neuer, first and foremost, brings vast experience and leadership to the German national team, having been the starting goalkeeper at every World Cup since South Africa 2010, holding aloft the illustrious trophy at Brazil 2014 and captaining the side at Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022. His 124 caps represent an all-time record for a Germany No.1.
That all contributes to a certain presence he adds, simultaneously boosting his own team while intimidating the opposition. As Nagelsmann put it when annoucing his sqaud: "Everyone knows the aura he has and the quality he brings to a team."
In addition, Neuer often acts as a supplemental defender or 'sweeper-keeper', and has been credited with reinventing the role of modern goalkeeper due to the way he will sprint from his penalty area to snuff out an attack that has beaten the offside trap or to intercept a long ball before opposition forwards can get to it - a tactic that was instrumental in Germany overcoming Algeria, France and Argentina on the path to winning the 2014 World Cup.
What his coaches say
"Manu has an agility that’s just not possible for other players. I’m delighted to be able to work with him. It’s fun that someone with so much talent, who has achieved so much, expects his coaching team to work with him and try to improve him further." - Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany
"We called him and asked him if he wanted to play for Germany again, and he did want to play at the tournament. His goalkeeping ability was considered above all, but we also wanted to know whether he was going to keep playing or retiring. Everyone knows what kind of aura Manu has because of his experience and the titles he has won." - Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann
