Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer says it is “very likely” he will retire after the upcoming season, bringing an end to one of football’s greatest goalkeeping careers.
Manuel Neuer has revealed that the upcoming season is “very likely” to be the last of his legendary playing career, with the Bayern Munich captain admitting he is approaching retirement after more than two decades at the top level.
The 40-year-old made the announcement while speaking to reporters during Bayern’s pre-season training camp in southern Bavaria. Although he stopped short of making it official, Neuer acknowledged that all signs point toward bringing his remarkable career to an end when the campaign concludes.
“It certainly looks very likely I’m going to retire,” Neuer said, offering the clearest indication yet that the 2026/27 season will be his farewell in professional football.
The veteran goalkeeper only signed a one-year contract extension with Bayern in May, explaining that the strength of the current squad and the positive atmosphere around the club convinced him to continue for one final campaign.
“In 85 percent of cases, I probably would have retired, but being part of this squad—along with the staff and the coaching team—is just fun,” Neuer added.
Despite battling several muscle injuries over the past year, Neuer has continued to perform at a high level. He missed Bayern’s 3-0 German Cup final victory over Stuttgart in May, with deputy goalkeeper Jonas Urbig stepping in, but remains the club’s undisputed first choice heading into the new season.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Manuel Neuer has announced that he will retire in June 2027. 🧤
At the age of 40, Neuer has confirmed that the upcoming season will be the final one of his legendary career. 👋
One of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. ❤️🇩🇪 pic.twitter.com/LuVH3QCVOB
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 29, 2026
Neuer Focused on Success, Not a Farewell Tour
Bayern enter the campaign as favorites to defend both the Bundesliga and German Cup titles while also targeting another UEFA Champions League triumph after last season’s semi-final exit to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Neuer insists he has no interest in turning the season into a sentimental goodbye tour.
“I’m not playing these matches just to say, ‘This is my last game.’ It doesn’t matter if I might have visited a particular stadium for the last time,” he said, emphasizing that his focus remains firmly on helping Bayern win trophies.
Neuer initially retired from international football following Euro 2024 but returned to represent Germany at the recent FIFA World Cup. His comeback ended in disappointment as the four-time world champions suffered a shock last-32 elimination at the hands of Paraguay.
Since joining Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011, Neuer has established himself as one of the greatest goalkeepers in football history. During his glittering spell in Bavaria, he has won 13 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and two Champions League trophies, while revolutionizing the modern goalkeeping role with his sweeping style and exceptional distribution.
Should this indeed be his final season, Neuer will leave the game as one of the defining players of his generation.
