Manuel Neuer is back—and is already making Champions League history! After recovering from a foot injury, the 40-year-old is back between the posts for FC Bayern’s away game against Atlético Madrid. With his comeback, the Munich captain reaches a historic milestone, surpassing—of all people—his longtime teammate Thomas Müller.
Neuer had most recently missed five competitive matches due to injury. During that time, the 2014 World Cup champion was replaced by Jonas Urbig. Just in time for the crucial Champions League showdown in Madrid, however, the veteran declared himself fit to play again.
His return is significant not only from a sporting perspective. With his 164th appearance in the Champions League, Neuer is now the sole German record-holder for most Champions League appearances. He had previously shared the record with Thomas Müller.
Neuer overtakes Müller and makes history
With his appearance against Atlético, Neuer has definitively surpassed his former Bayern teammate.
During his long career with Germany’s most successful club, Müller had played a total of 163 Champions League matches. Now the record belongs solely to the Munich goalkeeper.
In third place on the German all-time list is another former Bayern player, Toni Kroos. The 2014 World Cup champion has played a total of 151 games in the Champions League, the majority of them for Real Madrid.
Neuer is thus one of the most experienced German players in the history of the competition.
His Champions League career began at FC Schalke 04. Since his move to FC Bayern in the summer of 2011, he has added numerous additional appearances.
With the Munich club, the goalkeeper won the Champions League in 2013 and 2020 and played a key role in one of the most successful periods in the club’s history over many years.
Ronaldo remains the international record holder
Even by international standards, Neuer has long been among the Champions League’s all-time leaders in appearances.
Cristiano Ronaldo continues to top the all-time appearances list. The Portuguese player made a total of 183 appearances for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus Turin.
He is followed by goalkeeping legend Iker Casillas, who made 177 appearances for Real Madrid and FC Porto.
Neuer is now in third place with 164 games, leaving Thomas Müller and Lionel Messi, among others, behind him.
For the Bayern captain, this historic milestone is a special moment. After all, there had recently been repeated discussions about his athletic future and the role of Jonas Urbig.
With his return against Atlético, the 40-year-old is now sending a clear message.
His comeback also comes at a crucial time for the team. After two draws against Viking Stavanger and Arsenal, the Munich side is under pressure in the Champions League.
Interim coach Aaron Danks is therefore once again relying on his captain’s experience for this difficult away game.
Alongside Neuer, the two young players Lennart Karl and Tom Bischof are also in the starting lineup.
For Neuer, the match in Madrid is not just about his personal record, but above all about helping FC Bayern secure a crucial away win in the fight for direct qualification to the Round of 16.