Manuel Neuer, born in Germany on 27 March 1986, is a stalwart between the posts, holding the number 1 jersey for both Bayern Munich and his homeland for many years. Standing tall at 6ft 3in (1.93m), and weighing in at a sturdy 14st 6lb (92kg), Neuer exudes an aura of physical and positional dominance that has been a cornerstone of his game.
Today, he is valued at around £3.5m according to Transfermarkt and his contract with Bayern, set to expire on 30 June 2026, still has a good 1 year and 5 months to run.
Neuer's journey with football began with Schalke 04 in July 1991. However, it was not until the 2006-2007 season, after years spent maturing in their training programme, that Neuer made his first team debut. He played 27 matches that season, followed by a further 34 matches in the following season. His career at Schalke continued in the same vein for several years, with him proving to be a reliable presence in goal.
In July 2011, a change of scenery beckoned as Neuer moved from Schalke 04 to Bayern Munich for a transfer fee of approximately £16m. His dedication and skill were unwavering with the change, and he quickly established himself as a mainstay at Bayern Munich. Neuer appeared consistently for his new club, amassing over 30 appearances in numerous seasons. In fact, in the 2021-2022 season alone, he made 28 first-team appearances, and to date, in the current season of 2024-2025, Neuer has already played 18 matches.
His contributions have not been limited to domestic instances, as Neuer has also positioned his mark on international club football. He achieved notable starts in the Champions League for Bayern Munich in both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons. His impact on Bayern Munich has been tremendous and quick. His towering presence, quick reflexes, and an uncanny ability to direct his defense have all played a part in making him an indispensable part of the team.
