Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has indicated that he is likely to retire at the end of the 2026–27 season, bringing one of football’s most successful careers closer to its conclusion.
Speaking during Bayern’s training camp in southern Bavaria on Tuesday, the 40-year-old goalkeeper said there is a strong possibility that the upcoming campaign will be his last.
“It certainly looks very likely I’m going to retire,” Neuer said.
The German veteran signed a one-year contract extension with Bayern in May. He revealed that the strength of the current squad, along with the club’s staff and coaching team, convinced him to continue for another season.
“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,” he said.
Neuer remains an important part of Bayern’s squad despite dealing with several muscle injuries in recent seasons. He missed the club’s 3–0 German Cup final win over Stuttgart in May, with backup goalkeeper Jonas Urbig also featuring in several matches during the campaign.
Bayern will enter the new season as favorites to retain the Bundesliga title and are also expected to challenge for the UEFA Champions League.
However, Neuer made it clear that he will not treat the season as a farewell 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.
Neuer joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011 and has since won 13 Bundesliga titles, six German Cups and two Champions League trophies.
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