Manuel Neuer is now the oldest player to appear in a Bundesliga match for Bayern Munich, according to SPORT1. The Bayern captain was 40 years and 225 days old when he started Saturday's away game in Mainz.
The record had belonged to another goalkeeper. Bernd Dreher, who spent years as the backup behind Oliver Kahn, was 40 years and 198 days old when he made his final league appearance for Bayern in 2003.
Neuer's day did not end as planned. He left the match early with an injury, and several German outlets, including n-tv and T-Online, reported that the problem was again with his foot. Kicker reported that Joshua Kimmich scored as Bayern came through in Mainz.
Why it matters
The milestone underlines how long Neuer has stayed at the top of the game. Goalkeepers often play into their late thirties, but very few remain first-choice at a club of Bayern's level past 40. That Neuer has done so while setting a club record — and that the previous holder was also a keeper — says something about how Bayern have handled the position over the years.
The record also carries a note of finality. SPORT1 reports that Neuer is widely expected to end his playing career at the close of this season. He turns 41 on 26 March 2027.
Dreher's long wait behind Kahn
Dreher's record stood for more than two decades. He was a career backup at Bayern, spending most of his time at the club as cover for Kahn, one of the most dominant goalkeepers of his era. That meant few league appearances, but it also meant he was still on the books — and still playing occasionally — well into his forties.
His last Bundesliga outing for Bayern came in 2003, at 40 years and 198 days. For a club with as much turnover as Bayern, a record held by a reserve keeper for so long is unusual, and it took another goalkeeper to break it.
Still short of the league's all-time mark
Neuer's new club record does not put him near the top of the Bundesliga's overall list. According to SPORT1, the oldest player in league history remains Schalke icon Klaus Fichtel, who played until he was 43 years and 184 days old. Uli Stein is second at 42 years and 170 days.
Neuer will not reach either figure. Even if he played on, the gap to Fichtel is nearly three years, and SPORT1 reports that he intends to stop at the end of the current campaign.
Injury adds to the concern
The record came in a match Neuer did not finish. Reports from n-tv and T-Online both noted that he had to come off before the end, and both framed it as a recurrence of a foot problem. Bayern have not commented in the material reviewed here, and the severity of the issue is not yet clear.
For a 40-year-old goalkeeper in what may be his final season, any injury is worth watching closely. Bayern's schedule and their plans in goal will depend on how quickly he recovers.
What to watch: Bayern's update on Neuer's condition, and whether he is available for the club's next league fixture.