Ten days after Germany’s disastrous exit from the World Cup group stage, captain Manuel Neuer’s December performance went from bad to worse when he broke his leg in a skiing accident, keeping him out of action for the rest of the season.
“What can I say: Could have done better at the end of the year,” the Bayern Munich veteran keeper wrote on his Instagram account on Saturday, revealing he suffered a calf injury while “trying to clean my head off the ski”.
According to the German daily picture, Neuer fractured the medial right tibia, not clean and tidy. The German tabloid added that the 36-year-old underwent surgery at a clinic in Murnau, about 70 kilometers (43 miles) south of Munich.
“The operation went well,” Neuer wrote, thanking the medical team. “But it’s hard for me to say that the season is over for me.”
Neuer has featured in 12 of Bayern Munich’s 15 Bundesliga games ahead of the World Cup, but has missed several Champions League and DFB-Pokal games following a shoulder injury in October.
“The news of Manuel’s injury has shocked us all,” Bayern chief executive Oliver Kahn said in a statement. “We will be by his side as he recovers. He will overcome this injury and come back as strong as ever.”
Sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic pledged his “full support” to Neuer, saying: “It’s too bad Manuel has had an accident like this, our hearts go out to him.”
Neuer went on holiday immediately after returning from Qatar, where he was unable to prevent Germany from going out of the group stage. Despite making some key saves – most notably Dani Olmo from Spain in the second game – he conceded five goals and failed to make a close call in the opener The post was especially criticized for preventing Takuma Asano from scoring Japan’s winner.
Neuer was supposed to wear the controversial ‘One Love’ captain’s armband in support of LGBT+ rights, until the German Football Association (DFB) decided against the gesture at the last minute.
“It’s really painful news to end the year,” said Germany coach Hansi Flick, who will continue in his role despite the disappointing game. “We are delighted that the operation went well and wish Manuel a speedy recovery.”
Neuer will be replaced by back-up goalkeeper Sven Ulreich when Bayern Munich return to the Bundesliga against RB Leipzig on January 20.
