Soccer

Neuer off injured after becoming Bayern's oldest Bundesliga player

7.11.2026, 15:50

Manuel Neuer became the oldest player to feature for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday at 40 years and 225 days old - but had to be substituted in the first half with a recurring foot injury.

Manuel Neuer became the oldest player to feature for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday at 40 years and 225 days old - but had to be substituted in the first half with a recurring foot injury.

According to data provider OptaFranz, his appearance at Mainz meant he overtook former goalkeeper Bernd Dreher (40 years and 198 days).

The injury-prone keeper made a mistake trying to punch out a cross and was fortunate that a contentious offside decision ruled out a Mainz equalizer. 

He then slumped to the turf pointing at his foot and was replaced by Jonas Urbig. He had recently missed three games due to a foot injury in what is set to be his last season as a player.

Two goalkeeping icons are well ahead of Neuer age-wise in German league history. 

Former Hamburg player Uli Stein was still between the posts at 42 years and 170 days old, while former Cologne star Toni Schumacher was 42 years and 73 days old when he last played.