Neuer explains retirement plan ahead of his 21st Bundesliga season

In Bundesliga’s latest "Midweek Interviews”, Manuel Neuer openly spoke about his future as he prepares for his 21st season in professional football. The 40-year-old recently revealed this will most probably be his last dance.

"I definitely feel very good. For me, it wasn't really a huge stress,” Neuer told DFL about pre-season training at Säbener Straße. “At Tegernsee, I'm at home. And the Summer Tour was definitely fun. I didn't really struggle with jet lag either, even though we were in the USA before (for the World Cup).

“And then suddenly we were in a different time zone (in South Korea and Hong Kong). But I didn't have any problems at all and we have used the days here to train well again. I think we played well in the friendly matches.”

Neuer also opened up about his retirement plans. "It's just a physical feeling that I have, and it’s also hard and exhausting to play,” the 40-year-old told DFL. “It’s not just physical, but also all the stress, having to bring in a lot, and also having an important function and role in the
team.

“But I’m definitely looking forward to this season and will give it my all. And, then, we’ll see in the end how likely it is whether it continues or whether it’s over.”

Neuer put his chances of retiring at the end of the season at 85%. He explained that the preparations for the upcoming season made him hopeful for ending his season with more trophies as he has a chance to do the treble for the third time.

Bundesliga also asked the legendary shot-stopper to pick his favorite moments from a career that surpassed two decades. "How much time do we have?” Neuer started with a fair question before going through some of the highlights of his glittering career.

“There’s the first season, then the first Bundesliga win. Then there’s the treble win and so on. There are so many players I have played with, whom I am very grateful for, from whom I learned a lot. They also made me who I am today. In the Bundesliga, there are countless stories, of course."

In particular, there is a standout fixture for the 2014 World Cup winner. "I have to say games against Dortmund, to be honest. There is my past with Schalke, then the derbies against Dortmund. And then, if you look further, the “Klassiker” has always been the most special game in the Bundesliga.

“For about ten years, it was as if we were fighting for the championship. Recently, it briefly changed a bit with Leverkusen. But Dortmund have always been the biggest rival. And that's why these have always been the most interesting and best games for a professional footballer."