Had to learn to walk again: Neuer reveals details of skiing accident in Bayern documentary

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Wednesday evening, Allianz Arena in Munich (D). Manuel Neuer is back on Europe’s biggest football stage. Champions League against Galatasaray (2-1 win). He has not played a match in the premier class for over a year. First because of shoulder problems, then because of his leg injury, which kept him out of action for months.

In the film ‘The Fight for the Comeback – Manuel Neuer’s Way Back into the Goal’, available on FC Bayern Munich’s YouTube channel, the public can now discover how the accident happened. How long and difficult was the German goalkeeper’s journey back to the goal.

Waiting for the holidays

Germany lost the Winter Football World Cup in Qatar with Neuer between the posts and was eliminated in the preliminary round. The plan was to not start the holiday until after the final (December 18, 2022). Neuer: “I was sitting at home waiting for the real holiday to start. These negative feelings were still in my head. That’s why he went for a walk and later on a ski trip at home “with experienced people” on Lake Tegernsee.

“Basically it was a bit like getting me sandwiches,” the now 37-year-old explains. “I think I’ve been skiing since I was six and I’ve been skiing for over 30 years, and nothing like this has ever happened. And unfortunately there was something under the snow blocking me and then I fell.”

No doubt about the comeback

The accident victim is taken to Murnau by helicopter. “You have to say, fortunately after Murnau, because first aid plays an immense role in such an injury,” said Peter Ueblacker, Bayern’s team doctor. “The entire lower leg was broken, the tibia, but also the fibula. If you evaluate this medically as a diagnosis, it is a very difficult diagnosis where the first thing is to restore normal functioning in everyday life. You don’t even think about top sport now.” Nevertheless, those responsible are clear: Neuer, the 2014 world champion, will return. “Because he is Manuel Neuer,” says Ueblacker.

“Giving up was not an option for me,” says Neuer, who had to learn to walk properly again. Ueblacker: “That was probably the most serious injury we have seen here at FC Bayern in connection with professional football in recent years or decades.” Neuer was out for the entire second half of the season and that is why Bayern signed Yann Sommer from Gladbach. “The relationship with Yann was very good,” says Neuer. “He also performed well and that was also important for us as support.” With Nati’s goalkeeper in goal, the Munich team won the championship trophy in a dramatic Bundesliga final.

Setbacks are part of it

Sommer left Bayern after the season and now plays for Inter Milan. Neuer had to wait until the end of October before his comeback became a reality: “There have been a few setbacks in the meantime, but they can actually be planned with such a major and long-term injury. I couldn’t play a pass over three or five meters, let alone longer.” He suffered from pain in his right fibula, which was treated by removing metal during surgery. Then, due to incorrect loading, a fiber tear occurred in the left calf.

On October 28, the time had come: Neuer made his comeback in the Bundesliga against Darmstadt and stayed clean in the 8-0 gala of the German FCB. Something he almost achieved when he returned to the premier class against Galatasaray (after a goal in the 93rd minute). (ja/che)

Source : Blick