I want to play football as long as I can, reveals Manuel Neuer
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Bayern Munich and German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has insisted that he will only retire from football once he has to retire and not a moment sooner. The 33-year-old has struggled with injuries over the last few years but has still managed to play a large part for both Germany and Bayern Munich.
Despite playing just four games during the 2017/18 season, Manuel Neuer still managed to make Germany’s 2018 World Cup squad, playing a key role for his country. Last season again saw Neuer struggle to stay fit missing 11 games or 54 days in total, yet Bayern Munich somehow managed to sneak to a title win, over challengers Borussia Dortmund.
Yet that will not change, with Manuel Neuer still playing a key role for both his sides but Bayern Munich are actively scouting for replacements. They’ve shortlisted Schalke star Alexandre Nubel as a potential option, alongside a few other names. But despite all his critics and reports of potential replacements, Manuel Neuer has revealed that he will not retire anytime soon. The 33-year-old went on to add that he’s still as ambitious as ever and does not intend to give up his first-team spot for either Germany or Bayern Munich just yet.
"When you are no longer needed and you feel it, it is difficult to get up and motivate yourself each day. When your experience is needed and your players need you, that drives you on. I have the feeling that I am very much needed here in the national team and that everyone is happy that I'm here. It's clear that I have to show it in my performance,” he told Welt am Sonntag.
"[My longevity] is a result of my love for this sport. It excites me a lot when I'm on the pitch training or playing. It's a great fulfilment for me. I'm 33 years old but when I'm on the pitch I always feel that I can improve on my goalkeeping. I'm still as annoyed with things that don't work out as they did nine or 10 years ago and I'm still happy about things that work out.
These are signs that mean something to me. Namely, how ambitious I am still. [I want to] play as long as my body can do it, I'm having fun and I'm needed," concluded the German.
