Neuer becomes most decorated German footballer and hints at retirement at season's end

Manuel Neuer lifted his 36th trophy with Bayern Munich on Saturday evening, becoming the most decorated German footballer in history, before hinting that the 2024-2025 season could be the last of his career. Bayern defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the German Super Cup.

Questioned on television after the match, the 40-year-old goalkeeper did not rule out the possibility of retirement in May. “Now it’s time to enjoy this season with the team, then we’ll see. But yes, it’s possible that this could be the last,” he said. A formulation that, coming from such a measured man, sounds like a barely veiled announcement.

On the pitch, Bayern had launched their season with authority. Nathaniel Brown opened the scoring in the 28th minute, before Michael Olise doubled the lead just before half-time. Fabio Silva reduced the deficit for Dortmund with a quarter of an hour remaining, but failed to overturn the Bavarians.

With this 36th title, Neuer surpasses Thomas Müller and stands alone at the top of German football’s trophy list. A record built primarily in Bayern colours, which he joined in 2011, but also with the national team: eleven Bundesliga titles, several domestic cups, a Ligue des Champions and a World Cup title in 2014 feature in a staggering collection.

Beyond the trophies, Neuer has profoundly redefined the role of goalkeeper, establishing a libero model between the posts — elaborate footwork, sweeping far from the box — that has influenced an entire generation of goalkeepers worldwide. If this season is indeed his last, German football will lose one of its monuments.