Manuel Neuer facts for kids
Neuer lining up for Germany in 2018
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 27 March 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Gelsenkirchen, West Germany | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Bayern Munich | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991–2005 | Schalke 04 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2006 | Schalke 04 II | 26 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2011 | Schalke 04 | 156 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011– | Bayern Munich | 360 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | Germany U18 | 1 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2005 | Germany U19 | 11 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005–2006 | Germany U20 | 4 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2009 | Germany U21 | 20 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2024 | Germany | 124 | (0) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Honours
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Manuel Peter Neuer, born on March 27, 1986, is a famous German professional footballer. He plays as a goalkeeper and is the captain for the German club Bayern Munich. Many people think he is one of the best and most important goalkeepers ever.
Neuer is known for his special playing style. He is called a "sweeper-keeper" because he often rushes out of his goal area to stop opponents. This is like an extra defender. He was named the best goalkeeper of the decade from 2011 to 2020.
He started his career at Schalke 04. There, he won the German Cup (DFB-Pokal) and the League Cup (DFL-Ligapokal). In 2011, he joined Bayern Munich. With Bayern, he has won many trophies, including eleven Bundesliga titles and two UEFA Champions League titles. He is the only goalkeeper to win the European treble (three major trophies in one season) twice.
In 2014, Neuer was third in the voting for the FIFA Ballon d'Or award. This award is for the best player in the world. He has won the Best European Goalkeeper award five times. He also holds records in the Bundesliga for the most "clean sheets" (games without letting in a goal).
Neuer played for the German national team from 2009 to 2024. He was the main goalkeeper for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In 2014, he helped Germany win the World Cup. He also won the Golden Glove award as the best goalkeeper in that tournament. He was Germany's captain from 2017 to 2023. Neuer has played more games in European Championships and international tournaments than any other German player.
Club Career
Playing for Schalke 04
Manuel Neuer played for Schalke 04 II, which is their reserve team, from 2003 to 2009. He grew up playing in every age group at his hometown club, Schalke 04. He signed his first professional contract in 2005.
He made his first team debut in the Bundesliga during the 2006–07 season. He became the starting goalkeeper at just 20 years old. He helped Schalke get a 2–2 draw against the strong team Bayern Munich. Many people thought he could become the next great German goalkeeper.
In the 2007–08 season, Neuer played a huge role in the Champions League. He made many saves against Porto, helping Schalke win in a penalty shootout. He was even nominated for the UEFA Club Goalkeeper of the Year award. He was the youngest goalkeeper on that list.
In the 2010–11 season, Neuer became the captain of Schalke. He led the team to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time. He also won the German Cup with Schalke, beating MSV Duisburg 5–0. This was his last season with the club. He played 53 games that season.
Moving to Bayern Munich
Early Success and Treble
On June 1, 2011, Neuer joined Bayern Munich. He signed a five-year contract. At first, some Bayern fans were not happy because he came from their rival club, Schalke. But after a meeting, everyone agreed to support him.
Early in his time at Bayern, Neuer set a new club record. He went over 1,000 minutes without letting in a goal. This beat the record held by the legendary goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.
In the 2011–12 Champions League semi-finals, Neuer saved penalties from Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaká against Real Madrid. He had studied how Ronaldo took his penalties. Bayern reached the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final but lost to Chelsea in a penalty shootout. Neuer even scored a penalty himself in that shootout.
The next season, 2012–13, was amazing for Neuer and Bayern. He kept four clean sheets in a row in the Champions League knockout stage. In the 2013 Champions League Final against Borussia Dortmund, Neuer made eight saves. Bayern won the Champions League title, completing a "treble" (winning the league, cup, and Champions League).
Awards and Domestic Wins
Neuer started the 2013–14 season by helping Bayern win the 2013 UEFA Super Cup. He saved the winning penalty against Chelsea. In January 2014, he was named the World Goalkeeper of The Year. He also saved a penalty from Mesut Özil in a Champions League game against Arsenal. In May 2014, he extended his contract with Bayern until 2019.
He was named the German Footballer of the Year in 2014. He also finished third in the 2014 FIFA Ballon d'Or award. This showed how highly he was rated. In the 2015–16 season, Neuer extended his contract with Bayern again, this time until 2021. He continued to win the Bundesliga title with Bayern every year.
Becoming Club Captain and Second Treble
In January 2017, Neuer was voted into the FIFA Team of the Year. In July 2017, he became the new captain for both Bayern and the German national team. This happened after Philipp Lahm retired.
Later in 2017, Neuer suffered a foot injury that kept him out of play for many months. He returned to training in April 2018. He played his first Bundesliga game in almost a year in August 2018.
In May 2019, Neuer won his seventh straight Bundesliga title with Bayern. A week later, he won his fifth German Cup. In May 2020, Neuer signed a new contract with Bayern until 2023. On August 23, he won the Champions League for the second time. This was his first Champions League win as Bayern captain. Bayern also completed another "treble" that season.
More Trophies and New Records
In September 2020, Neuer helped Bayern win the 2020 UEFA Super Cup and the German Super Cup. On October 21, 2020, he reached 200 clean sheets for Bayern in 394 games. This record put him ahead of Sepp Maier. On August 28, 2021, Neuer broke Oliver Kahn's Bundesliga record with his 205th clean sheet in 441 games.
On October 23, 2021, Neuer won his 300th Bundesliga game. Bayern won the Bundesliga again in the 2021–22 season. After that season, Neuer extended his contract until 2024.
In December 2022, Neuer broke his leg during a ski trip. This meant he missed the rest of the season. He returned to play on October 28, 2023, after 350 days. In November, he extended his contract with Bayern until June 2025.
On January 12, 2024, Neuer played his 500th game for Bayern. This put him among the top players in the club's history. In March, he equaled Iker Casillas' record of 57 clean sheets in the Champions League. In April, he broke that record with his 58th clean sheet. On May 12, he played his 500th Bundesliga match.
On October 30, 2024, Neuer celebrated his 250th clean sheet with Bayern in all competitions. Later that year, he received his first red card in his long professional career. This happened in a German Cup game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Playing for Germany
Youth Teams
Manuel Neuer played for Germany's youth teams. He made his debut for the Germany under-21 team in 2006. In 2009, he helped Germany win the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He kept a clean sheet in the 4–0 final win against England.
2010 World Cup
In May 2009, Neuer was called up to the senior German national team. He made his debut on June 2, 2009, in a 7–2 win against the United Arab Emirates.
Before the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Germany's main goalkeeper got injured. Neuer was then chosen as the starting goalkeeper for the tournament. He played in Germany's first game, a 4–0 win against Australia. In the round of 16, he even helped set up a goal for Miroslav Klose against England. Germany won that game 4–1.
Euro 2012
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Neuer played every minute of Germany's qualifying games for UEFA Euro 2012. Germany won all ten of their games. He was praised for his "sensational" performance against Turkey. He made a great save and then quickly threw the ball to start a counter-attack that led to a goal. He also helped set up another goal with a long kick.
Neuer played in all five of Germany's matches at UEFA Euro 2012. He kept a clean sheet against Portugal in their first group game.
2014 World Cup Win
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Neuer played in all seven of Germany's matches in their 2014 FIFA World Cup winning journey. He won the Golden Glove award for being the best goalkeeper in the tournament. He had the most clean sheets.
In the round of 16 against Algeria, Neuer played like an extra defender, rushing out of his goal to stop attacks. This is why he is called a "sweeper-keeper." He kept his third clean sheet in the quarter-final win against France.
In the World Cup Final against Argentina, Neuer was not tested much. But he controlled his penalty area well. Germany won 1–0 in extra time, thanks to a goal by Mario Götze. Neuer's playing style allowed his teammates to play higher up the field. He also completed more passes than some outfield players in the tournament.
Euro 2016
On May 31, 2016, Neuer was chosen for Germany's team for UEFA Euro 2016. He did not let in any goals in Germany's first three group games. He also kept a clean sheet in the round of 16. In the quarter-final against Italy, Neuer broke a record for not letting in a goal for 557 minutes in a major tournament. The game went to a penalty shootout, and Neuer helped Germany win by saving two penalties. He was named the best player of the match.
2018 World Cup
On September 1, 2016, Neuer became the new captain of the German national team. This happened after Bastian Schweinsteiger retired.
Neuer missed some games due to injury before the 2018 FIFA World Cup. But he was still chosen for the team. He played his first game after his injury in a friendly match in June 2018. He captained Germany in their first World Cup match, a 1–0 loss to Mexico. Germany was knocked out of the tournament in the group stage after losing to South Korea.
Euro 2020
On June 11, 2019, Neuer set a new record for Germany. He kept his 37th clean sheet in an 8–0 win against Estonia.
In November 2020, Neuer played his 96th game for Germany. This made him the most capped German goalkeeper ever. He was chosen for the German team for UEFA Euro 2020. On June 7, 2021, he played his 100th game for the national team. He was the first German goalkeeper to reach this milestone.
Neuer played in all of Germany's games at Euro 2020. He wore a rainbow-colored captain's armband to support Pride month. UEFA later confirmed this was allowed.
2022 World Cup
Neuer was part of Germany's team for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He became the first German goalkeeper to play in four World Cups. On December 1, he played his 19th World Cup game. This broke the record for goalkeepers. However, Germany did not make it past the group stage for the second World Cup in a row.
Euro 2024 and Retirement
In December 2022, Neuer broke his leg in a skiing accident. He was out of the team for 18 months. When he returned, İlkay Gündoğan remained the captain.
In June 2024, Neuer was named in Germany's team for UEFA Euro 2024. He played in all five of Germany's matches at the tournament. He kept clean sheets against Hungary and Denmark. Germany reached the quarter-finals but lost to Spain. This game was his 124th and final match for Germany. He set a new record for the most appearances by a German player in international tournaments.
After the tournament, Neuer announced his retirement from international football on August 21, 2024. He finished his international career with 51 clean sheets in 124 games.
How He Plays
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Many people in football think Manuel Neuer is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He is seen as a "complete" and modern goalkeeper. Some experts even say he is the best goalkeeper since Lev Yashin, who is the only goalkeeper to have won the Ballon d'Or award.
Neuer is tall, athletic, and very strong. He is known for his speed, calm attitude, and focus. He can adjust to any situation on the field. He has amazing reflexes and can stop shots with both his hands and legs. He is also very agile and has great footwork. He is good at catching crosses and controlling his goal area.
He is especially known for being a "sweeper-keeper." This means he often rushes out of his goal to stop opponents who have gotten past his team's defenders. His skill and quick decisions in this role help his team play with a high defensive line. Because of this unique style, Neuer has changed how people think about the goalkeeper position in modern football. He is also good in one-on-one situations and at saving penalties.
Neuer used to play as an outfield player when he was younger. This helps him with his excellent ball control and passing. He can throw the ball long distances and kick it accurately with both feet. This allows him to start quick counter-attacks from the back. He is also a strong leader and talks a lot with his defenders to organize the team.
Personal Life
Manuel Neuer was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He went to Gesamtschule Berger Feld, a school known for its football program. His brother, Marcel, is a football referee. Manuel received his first football when he was two years old. His childhood hero was former German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.
Neuer is a Catholic. He supports a charity group in Gelsenkirchen that fights against child poverty. He also supports a youth club run by the Amigonian Friars.
He started his own charity foundation for children, called the Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation. In 2011, he won €500,000 for charity on the German version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
In November 2022, Neuer shared that he had surgery on his face for skin cancer. This led him to work with tennis player Angelique Kerber to promote sun cream. In December 2022, he broke his lower right leg while skiing. This injury kept him from playing for the rest of that season.
Manuel Neuer is married to Anika Bissel. Their first son, Luca, was born on March 14, 2024.
Honours
Schalke 04
- DFB-Pokal: 2010–11
- DFL-Ligapokal: 2005
Bayern Munich
- Bundesliga: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
- DFB-Pokal: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20
- DFL-Supercup: 2012, 2016, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022
- UEFA Champions League: 2012–13, 2019–20
- UEFA Super Cup: 2013, 2020
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2013, 2020
Germany U21
Germany
- FIFA World Cup: 2014; third place: 2010
- UEFA European Championship third place: 2012
Individual
- Fritz Walter Medal U19 Silver: 2005
- kicker Goalkeeper of the Year: 2006–2007, 2010–11, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22
- Footballer of the Year in Germany: 2011, 2014
- Germany national team Player of the Year: 2020
- ESM Team of the Season: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2014–15
- UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012
- UEFA European Under-21 Championship All-time Dream Team
- IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2020
- IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper of the Decade: 2011–2020
- Best European Goalkeeper: 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020
- IFFHS Men's World Team: 2020
- FIFA FIFPro World 11: 2013, 2014 2015, 2016
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020
- UEFA Champions League Final Fan's Man of the Match: 2013
- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2015–16, 2019–20
- UEFA Champions League Goalkeeper of the Season: 2019–20
- The Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper: 2020
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2010
- FIFA World Cup Golden Glove: 2014
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2014
- FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014
- AIPS Athlete of the Year: 2014
- AIPS Europe Athlete of the Year – Frank Taylor Trophy: 2014
- Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21, 2021–22
- kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2010–11, 2019–20, 2020–2021
- Ballon d'Or Dream Team (Silver): 2020
- IFFHS World Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
- IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
Orders
Silbernes Lorbeerblatt: 2010, 2014
Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia: 2019
Bavarian Order of Merit: 2021
See also
In Spanish: Manuel Neuer para niños
