The wait will have been endless for him. More than 10 months after breaking his leg on a ski vacation just days after Germany’s World Cup elimination, Manuel Neuer finally looks fit to play a football match. To the delight of Bayern Munich who have struggled in recent months without their German goalkeeper. Because his return was to take place at the end of last season. This is what pushed the Bavarian club to bet on Yann Sommer, only 6 months old, hoping to have Neuer at the start of the season.
But the German goalkeeper’s injury did not heal as expected and his absence continued again and again for several months. And according to “the Team”, although he was away from the field last season, Manuel Neuer still had a lot of adventures in his season. He has, in fact, had several clashes with his former coach Julian Nagelsmann but also with former president Oliver Kahn with whom he slowly cut contact. This Saturday, the 37-year-old goalkeeper should make his comeback in an official match against Darmstadt. And if this is good news for Thomas Tuchel who was delighted at his return at a press conference, Bayern Munich is also worried.
One injury and it’s the end?
Throughout the summer, Manuel Neuer’s return was postponed. The reason ? If the player really wanted to play again, his body relapsed regularly and did not guarantee good physical condition. So Bayern Munich, who recruited young Israeli prospect Daniel Peretz so as not to send Neuer to the bench, decided to take their time. According to information from Kicker and the German press, if Manuel Neuer were to relapse again with another serious injury, he would be forced to retire.
Since the start of his career, the former Schalke 04 goalkeeper has suffered two metatarsal fractures and a tibia fracture. Injuries far from trivial which considerably damaged his body. And if according to the French daily, Manuel Neuer still plans to play three seasons to reach the age of 40, his club is studying all scenarios including an early end to his career. So much so that the German legend has still not extended his contract which expires in the summer of 2024. Proof once again that the German team fears the worst for its goalkeeper. A first response will be given this Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
