“Maybe he has a bit of a problem”
World champion Lahm expresses suspicions about Manuel Neuer
12/29/2024 – 3:44 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Manuel Neuer is one of the best goalkeepers in football history. However, his current achievements are controversial. Now a leader who has been leading the way for years has spoken out.
World champion Philipp Lahm expressed a suspicion about Manuel Neuer in “Kicker”. Lahm emphasized the goalkeeper’s extraordinary career – and pointed out a challenge that Neuer is currently facing.
“Maybe he has a bit of a problem that people always compare him with his heyday, when he was simply ten steps ahead of everyone else,” explained the 41-year-old. Neuer revolutionized goalkeeping and set standards. “Back in his prime – I learned the word from my son (laughs) – he was by far the best goalkeeper in the world. He’s gotten older and was injured for a year, you shouldn’t forget that.” The “prime” refers to the high phase of a career in which the best performance is achieved.
Lahm made it clear that Neuer, now 38 years old, was still putting in an outstanding performance despite his long injury layoff. You shouldn’t always compare him with his peak, “but rather ask the question: Is he performing at his best? And yes, he is doing that at FC Bayern. That’s why he’s in the goal.”
Lahm and Neuer shaped FC Bayern Munich and the German national team for many years. Together they led the DFB team to the World Cup title in Brazil in 2014. While Lahm retired from the national team after the triumph, Neuer later took over the captaincy. After the European Championship this summer, Neuer also announced his resignation from the DFB team.
Lahm also commented on Neuer’s decision to extend his contract with FC Bayern for another year. “He has to make the decision and then it’s the right one. A matter of feeling,” said the ex-professional, who ended his own career at FC Bayern in 2017. “I had two captaincy and at some point I realized: I can’t do it anymore.”