Article by Aurelian Botezatu – Published Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:33 p.m. / Updated Monday, December 15, 2025, 3:34 p.m.
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer (39) suffered a muscle injury in the match with Mainz (2-2) and will be unavailable at least until the end of the year.
Although he didn't claim any problems during the game with Mainz, the club announced that Neuer had picked up a hamstring tear. Instead, he made absolutely no statement about the duration of the recovery. Not even close!
Manuel Neuer will be replaced in goal by Jonas Urbig
The Bavarians have one more match to play in December, at Heidenheim's ground, in the Bundesliga. Neuer will be replaced by 22-year-old Jonas Urbig, who has made four appearances and two clean sheets this season.
After the Holidays, on January 6, Bayern will play a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and five days later they will face VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga.
A 2014 world champion and two-time Champions League winner, Neuer, who will turn 40 in March, has been the Bavarian club's number one since 2011. He is currently under contract until the end of June 2026, but it is unclear whether he will extend.
Manuel Neuer has disappointed lately and it is unclear if he will sign a new contract with Bayern
His performances have left a lot to be desired of late, conceding goals for which he has his fair share of blame. Including on Sunday, against Mainz, he made errors. He hesitated to go out on a high cross in his box and Potulski equalized with a header from 6-7 meters.
Then, for the guests' 1-2 goal, he shared the blame with defender Stanisic. The Croatian was beaten by the ball which found its way to Lee Jae-Sung and Neuer was badly placed to have any chance on the South Korean's header.
Even Neuer has been reserved so far when it came to a new contract and stressed that “Urbig is the most suitable to follow me between the sticks. Bayern must not hire another goalkeeper”.
