Manuel Neuer’s calf problems could endanger participation in DFB Pokal final, World Cup

At first, it seemed like a symbolic gesture.

Manuel Neuer, Bayern Munich’s captain, started in the Bavarians’ final Bundesliga match of the season, a dead rubber match against FC Köln. After 60 minutes of the match, however, Neuer left the field and 22-year-old Jonas Urbig came on to the field. It seemed as if head coach Vincent Kompany wanted to give Urbig some game time against his former club and symbolically demonstrate that the young goalkeeper’s role at the club will grow despite Manuel Neuer’s recent contract extension.

But the real reason for the substitution came out after the match: Neuer had felt discomfort in his calf. With a big clash against VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Pokal final and a potential return to the German national team for the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, he wanted to take no chances and had to leave the field. After the match, Neuer downplayed the seriousness of the muscular issue.

But Sport Bild, as captured by @iMiaSanMia, claims that the calf problems could be an issue after all:

Manuel Neuer’s calf problems should not be underestimated. Internally, it has been agreed that if he can participate in team training on Thursday, Neuer will start in goal in the DFB Pokal final. There’s also constant communication with the DFB’s coaching staff regarding the extent to which Neuer’s calf might affect his participation in the World Cup. A final meeting between Neuer and [Germany manager] Julian Nagelsmann is scheduled before the squad announcement on Thursday.

Manuel Neuer’s calf problems should not be underestimated. Internally, it has been agreed that if he can participate in team training on Thursday, Neuer will start in goal in the DFB Pokal final. There’s also constant communication with the DFB’s coaching staff regarding the extent to which Neuer’s calf might affect his participation in the World Cup. A final meeting between Neuer and [Germany manager] Julian Nagelsmann is scheduled before the squad announcement on Thursday.

Of course, Sport Bild have a very well known reputation of creating drama out of very little. There is every chance Neuer will return to team training with little delay and no issues.

Then again, it would not be the first time Neuer would have to take a longer break after dealing with a seeminly minor issue. This is the fifth muscular injury the 40-year-old legendary goalkeeper has suffered in the 2025/26 season and it was the third time he had to be substituted this season. Both previous times, Neuer was ruled out of action for multiple weeks. Such an absence would, of course, rule him out of the DFB-Pokal final and endanger his World Cup participation.

Hopefully, this time Neuer’s injury problems truly are minor.

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