Manuel Neuer is hoping to end his Bayern Munich career by winning the Champions League for a third time, with the 40-year-old goalkeeper expecting to retire at the conclusion of the season.
Neuer has already lifted European club football’s most prestigious trophy twice with Bayern. His first success came in the 2012-13 campaign, before he helped the German club win the competition again in 2019-20.
Now, as he prepares for what is expected to be his final season, Neuer wants one more opportunity to finish his Bayern career at the highest possible level.
The goalkeeper came close to securing a third Champions League medal last season. However, Bayern were eliminated in the semi-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, who went on to win the competition. Vincent Kompany’s side lost the tie 6-5 on aggregate.
Bayern begin their latest European campaign at home to Bodo/Glimt on Thursday, 10 September, with Neuer making no attempt to hide his ambition ahead of the opening game.
The veteran goalkeeper said he had decided to continue because he believed Bayern had the ability to compete for every available honour.
"I'm going into the season with all the possible aims we can achieve. We have the potential, which is also a reason I continued," he said.
Neuer added that a third Champions League triumph would carry particular personal significance as he approaches the end of his career.
"It would mean everything to me personally to win the Champions League a third time.
"I don't want to speak too much about titles, though. We're at the start now, and we know we have difficult games ahead."
The comments underline Neuer’s determination to remain focused on the campaign rather than on the prospect of retirement. Although he is expecting to call time on his playing career at the end of the season, his immediate priority is to help Bayern make a strong start to their Champions League challenge.
His previous European successes remain central to his Bayern legacy. The 2012-13 triumph was followed seven years later by another Champions League victory in 2019-20, giving him two titles with the club so far.
Last season’s semi-final defeat means Bayern must begin again if they are to provide Neuer with another chance to lift the trophy. Their first test comes against Bodo/Glimt, as Kompany’s team starts its pursuit of the title.
For Neuer, the campaign represents both a final opportunity and a familiar challenge. He wants to compete for every honour Bayern can win, while keeping his attention on the demanding matches still to come. A third Champions League crown would give the goalkeeper the ending he is seeking before he hangs up his gloves.