Neuer says retirement after next season is 'very likely'

Speaking at Bayern Munich's training camp in southern Bavaria on Tuesday evening, the 40-year-old goalkeeper admitted he is now close to the end and suggested retirement after the upcoming campaign is the most probable outcome.

"It is very likely that I will retire," Neuer told reporters.

That is a major line, even if not a formal announcement yet. Back in May, Neuer signed a 1-year contract extension with Bayern, and he explained that the quality and potential of the current squad played a big part in convincing him to carry on.

"In 85% of cases, I probably would have retired, but being part of this team, together with the staff and coaching team, is really exciting," he said.

So this looks less like one last desperate run and more like a final season he actually still wants. Bayern will again go into the year as serious contenders. They won the Bundesliga and German Cup double in 2025-26, although their Champions League campaign ended in the semi-finals against eventual winners PSG.

Neuer still had injury issues last season, especially muscular ones. He missed the German Cup final win over Stuttgart in May and was also absent for several other games, with backup goalkeeper Jonas Urbig stepping in. Even so, he continued to show enough quality to remain an important figure in the squad.

"I do not play these matches just to say, 'This is my last match.' The fact I will go to that stadium for the last time is not important."

The 2014 World Cup winner had already retired from international football after Euro 2024, but returned for the recent World Cup, where Germany were knocked out in the last 32 by Paraguay.

At club level, though, his legacy is already massive. Since joining Bayern from Schalke in 2011, Neuer has won 13 Bundesliga titles, 6 German Cups and 2 Champions Leagues. If this really is the last season, it will close one of the great goalkeeping careers of the modern era.