Manuel Neuer has played with a metal plate in his foot for nine years

Speaking to Sport Bild about the hairline fracture in his right foot that has sidelined Neuer until at least January, Bayern Munich’s world-class keeper revealed a stunning surprise: he has been playing with a metal plate in his foot for the past nine years.

I had the same injury in my right foot in 2008 with Schalke. I had a plate inserted in my foot at the time that’s still in there. I never had any problems with it and feel very comfortable wit it.

Neuer had suffered a hairline fracture on July 8, 2008. Three months later, he celebrated a spectacular comeback, playing a full 90 minutes against Wolfsburg and even providing the game-winning assist to Kevin Kuranyi after sprinting into Wolfsburg’s penalty area.

After the surgery and recovery from the injury, Neuer decided not to have the plate removed:

I’m fond of the idea of leaving everything in during my career - not least to avoid unnecessary pauses.

After the coming weeks of rest and rehabilitation, Neuer thus will boast not one, but two metal plates in his right foot - and hopefully no more.