Manuel Neuer Story
Profile
Manuel Neuer is a professional German soccer player and plays as the goalkeeper for the Bayern Munich as well as the German national team. He is known for his quick reflexes, amazing shot-stopping skills as well as the command and control he exerts over the distribution of the ball in a game. He has often been called the ‘sweeper-keeper’ owing to his unique playing style and excellent speed when rushing off his line.
Early Life
Manuel Peter Neuer was born on 27 March, 1986 in Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia, in Germany. He attended the Gesamtschule Berger Feld, like many other notable soccer players such as Mesut Ozil.
Manueal got his first football at the age of 2 years and played his first game in 1991, just 24 days shy of his 5th birthday.
Career
In 2005, Manuel made his senior professional debut after having played for minor league since the age of 5 years for his hometown club.
In the 2006-2007 Season Manuel made his Bundesliga debut with Schalke when he substituted for injured Frank Rost in the second match of the season. His amazing performance prompted the club to list him in the playing-eleven for the crucial match against Bayern Munich and managed a draw of 2-2 against the title defenders.
In March of 2008, his brilliant performance in the UEFA Champions League against FC Porto forced the match into penalties and saved the goals to allow Schalke entry into the quarter-finals. In the 2008-2009 Season, Bayern Munich got interested in Manuel but his Schalke manager refused to let him go for another season.
In the 2010-2011 Season, Manuel was named as the captain of the team and led it to its first Champions League semi-final appearance. He helped Schalke win the DFB Pokal in his last season with the club by defeating MSV Duisburg 5-0.
The 2011-2012 Season saw Manuel signing a 5-year contract with Bayern Munich in July and was paid a whopping estimated $28 million, thus making him the 2nd most-expensive goalkeeper of all time.
In April of 2012, he saved penalty kicks from the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo and assisted Bayern Munich to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals against Real Madrid.
In the 2012-2013 Season, in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase, Manuel managed to keep the sheets clean four times in a row against FC Barcelona and Juventus FC.
In the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final, Manuel saved 8 attempts at his goal and helped the team win its 5th UEFA Champions League Title. In April of 2016, Manuel extended his contract with Bayern Munich until April of 2021.
Heights
Manuel Neuer is the current IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper award, which makes it 3 years consecutively. He is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive goalkeeper of all times, since Lev Yashin.
In 2014, Manuel came 3rd in the voting for the FIFA Ballon d’Or award and was also ranked the 3rd-best soccer player in the world by The Guardian.
Personal Life
Manuel Neuer’s elder brother, Marcel is a football referee in the Verbandsliga. His childhood idol was former Schalke and German national goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann.
Manuel is heavily involved in charitable work with support to a Gelsenkrichen-based Catholic social activism group that campaigns against child poverty and also a part of the youth club in his hometown run by the Amigonians.
Manuel is the founder of the children’s charity foundation, the Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation.
Awards/Achievements
Manuel Neuer is the recipient of numerous team awards and accolades.
His personal achievements include:
Awards
- 2011
-
German Footballer of The Year
- 2010
-
Silbernes Lorbeerblatt
- 2005
-
Fritz Walter Medal
- Full Name :
- Manuel Peter Neuer
- Zodiac Sign :
- Aries
- Birth Place :
- Gelsenkirchen
- Occupation :
- Football Player
- Industry :
- Sports
- Networth :
- $9 Million
