Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich mocks rumors about retirement and intrigue

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer laughed rumors that he was going to announce his retirement to the media on Wednesday.

Neuer suffered a calf injury Sunday against Fortuna Dusseldorf, who ruled him out for two weeks. When it was revealed, he was about to hold a press conference to speculate on his future.

The 33-year-old missed most of the 2017-18 season due to a fractured foot and spent time due to a thumb problem before suffering a problem of calf in march.

Head coach Niko Kovac confirmed that Neuer had suffered a recurrence of the last injury this weekend, but the goalkeeper was surprised by suggestions that he was ready to hang up.

"Honestly, we laughed about it," said Neuer. "We agreed on this press conference a week ago and I made sure I would be available because a lot of people wanted to hear about it, which is why I'm not sure. Did not cancel that. "

Neuer, who hopes to return in time to face RB Leipzig on May 11, thinks his muscular problems are part of the process of returning from a long-term absence.

"I think I'll be able to work more after two weeks, but it's hard to tell you when I'll be back in the field, my goal is to get back into shape as quickly as possible and do everything I can to get there. . ," he said.

"I think Leipzig is a realistic goal for me, but we will have to do it step by step – I should be able to train myself completely after two weeks.

"Looking back, I was injured for more than a year after a broken foot and crutches for six months, and honestly I thought I had muscle injuries much earlier, like in the first half of the season.

"I have been injured for so long that it is normal to have minor muscle problems.Luckily, this is only a minor problem now, nothing that can hold me back. gap for a few months. "

"You can not predict these things, it's not like I'm sorry or frustrated with the decisions of the past, nothing indicates an injury and these things happen in the best professional sports." "

Sven Ulreich is expected to be substituted for Neuer when Bayern face Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday and the DFB-Pokal semi-finals four days later.

After impressing in the absence of Neuer last season, Ulreich made a huge mistake at the Santiago Bernabeu when the Bavarian giants were eliminated from the Champions League semi-finals by Real Madrid.

However, Neuer thinks his lining has proven to be a competent goalkeeper and will help the team handle a pair of tough matches against Bremen.

The article continues below

"I do not think we should talk about it [his mistake against Madrid]but how many good games he played. We know he's done very well in the past and I'm sure he'll do it in the next few matches, "he said.

"[Bremen] are a very strong team, they like to play football, they are good in counterattack and have a strong offensive.

"They won against Dortmund, they have a good spirit and a good unity and that's why we should be wary, it will certainly not be easy."