Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has strongly hinted that the 2025-26 campaign will be the final season of his storied career, making the admission after rejoining the club's preseason training camp in Tegernsee. The 40-year-old goalkeeper, who returned alongside several internationals following Germany's World Cup exit, said retirement had been a serious consideration before he opted to continue.

Neuer's Own Words on Retirement

'It looks very much like I will retire after the season,' Neuer told reporters at the camp, while adding that he was not approaching individual matches as farewell occasions. 'I don't think about whether it could be my last season when I play,' he said, striking a balance between candour and competitive focus.

Notably, Neuer revealed just how close he came to stepping away this summer. 'I would probably have retired in 85 percent of cases, but with this team, the staff and the coaching group it is simply fun. We always have the opportunity to compete for every title,' he said.

Germany Exit and Refocusing on Bayern

The veteran shot-stopper acknowledged that Germany's World Cup exit had been painful to absorb, but said his attention had already pivoted back to club football. 'We all hoped for more. Now we have new goals and want to achieve a lot with the club,' he added. This comes amid a broader reset for the German national side, which now faces a rebuilding phase ahead of the next major tournament cycle.

Squad Confidence and Title Ambitions

Neuer expressed optimism about Bayern Munich's prospects for the new season, pointing to the retention of the squad's core and the addition of new signings. 'We have kept the core of the team together. The new arrivals add further quality and should make us even stronger,' he said. He was equally direct about the club's ambitions: 'We want to beat everyone. The motivation is there throughout the squad. We want to achieve even more than last season.'

Goalkeeping Unit and Team Spirit

Neuer also addressed Bayern's goalkeeping group, which includes Jonas Urbig and Sven Ulreich, describing the internal dynamic as one of mutual support. 'We support each other and push each other. Our job is always to give the best possible performances for the team,' he said. The cohesion within the goalkeeping unit is seen as a stabilising factor as the club navigates what could be a transitional period between the Neuer era and whatever follows.

If Neuer does retire at the end of this season, it will mark the close of one of European football's most decorated goalkeeping careers — one that includes multiple Bundesliga titles, a UEFA Champions League triumph, and a FIFA World Cup winner's medal with Germany in 2014. How Bayern manage his succession will be one of the defining off-field questions of the season ahead.