Manuel Neuer faces an emotional Bundesliga match in his hometown as Bayern Munich travel to face FC Schalke 04 on the second matchday. The 40-year-old goalkeeper returns to Gelsenkirchen, where he spent his entire youth career and where a potential final appearance at the Veltins-Arena awaits him.
Neuer left Schalke 04 in 2011 after 203 competitive appearances and a DFB-Pokal win to join Bayern Munich. Since then, he has conceded only two goals in Gelsenkirchen, the last one in November 2015. A report by Sportschau on September 4, 2026, quotes the record-breaking German international: "Es ist natürlich für mich auch ein Traum, gerade im Hinblick, dass es wahrscheinlich auch meine letzte Saison sein kann und dass ich dann noch mal in der Veltins-Arena spielen darf - das ist für mich wirklich was Besonderes."
How did Neuer's career at Schalke 04 unfold?
At age 19, Manuel Neuer signed his first professional contract with Schalke 04 for the 2005/06 season. He quickly developed into a leader and captain for the Royal Blues. His greatest success was winning the DFB-Pokal in May 2011, shortly before his move to Munich. In total, 35 years connect him to the club from the Ruhr region, dating back to when he joined their youth academy as a boy. This long association also explains the mixed emotions during his returns. During his first comeback as a Bayern player on matchday 6 of the 2011/12 season, he was whistled at by some Schalke supporters.
How is Neuer received in Gelsenkirchen?
The arrival of the world-class goalkeeper at Bayern Munich was initially hard to swallow for some of the record champion's fans. They greeted him with banners stating "Neuer, you are and will remain a guest" and "Koan-Neuer". In Gelsenkirchen, reactions after his transfer were often marked by disappointment. Today, Neuer looks upon both cities with affection. "Ich fühle mich ja hier am Tegernsee, in Bayern und in München wohl, und genauso fühle ich mich in meiner Heimat in Gelsenkirchen wohl," he said. He cannot and will not choose between his two homes.
What does the match mean for Neuer and Bayern?
For Bayern Munich, it's naturally about securing the first points of the new season. The team under coach Vincent Kompany aims to show a positive away record after the opening match. For Neuer personally, the visit to Gelsenkirchen holds greater symbolic meaning. At 40, he is approaching the end of his unparalleled career, which he has spent exclusively at two clubs. A win and a clean sheet would be the ideal result for him. Interestingly, he admits to supporting Schalke when their opponent is arch-rival Borussia Dortmund. The current Bundesliga table and further statistics can be viewed on our standings page.
What is Bayern's current situation?
The Munich squad is preparing for an intense season with title and Champions League ambitions. The injury list is currently manageable, details of which can be found on our injuries page. Neuer remains an indispensable pillar of the team, even though his contract expires in the summer of 2027. His wealth of experience is invaluable for the entire squad. The FC Bayern squad, including all goalkeepers, is listed in our squad overview. Bayern's next fixture after the clash in Gelsenkirchen is a home match on the third Bundesliga matchday.
