I want to play football as long as I can, reveals Manuel Neuer

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.

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.