:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59278591/GettyImages-635227518.0.0.jpg)
For the first time since refracturing his left metatarsal in September 2017, Manuel Neuer completed a full training session that included some ball work in goal. After some moderate jogging and stretching, the keeper did some significant diving drills in goal with Bayern’s rehab coach, Thomas Wilhelmi, and goalkeeping coach, Toni Tapalovic.
The session marks an important milestone in Neuer’s recovery, as this was the first time since the injury that he has done any fast-paced diving and cutting in between the posts, much to the delight of those watching on at Säbener Straße.
Manuel Neuer hält wieder Bälle! Das erste Mal seit über einem halben Jahr! Gleich mehr bei https://t.co/Qqg1boo1Ge! #neuer #FCBayern pic.twitter.com/92kPrTdOMo
— Heiko Niedderer (@itstheicebird) April 5, 2018
The training session comes just over a week after Neuer was cleared for doping in relation to the stem-cell therapy he had mentioned that he was doing during an interview with FC Bayern TV. He was cleared shortly after Germany’s anti-doping agency paid him and was able to continue his training regiment without interruption.
Thomas Muller took to social media to welcome back his compatriot:
Schön, dass du wieder da bist! ⚽️ #esmuellert https://t.co/6opNipo8OH
— Thomas Müller (@esmuellert_) April 5, 2018
Fantastic to see this!
Ratet mal, wer wieder mit Ball trainiert! ⚽@Manuel_Neuer #MiaSanMia #packmas pic.twitter.com/UmRbLsIQ1p
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 5, 2018
With this major step forward, Neuer is confident that he will play for Bayern before this summer’s World Cup, where he’ll be Germany’s number one keeper. Without any setbacks between now and then, all looks to be going according to plan and it’s a welcoming sight to finally see him training at (almost) full tilt once again.