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Just a few seasons ago, there were people who had already written off Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer.
After another excellent season, however, Neuer has proven those doubters wrong and looks to be primed for at least another two seasons of high-level play.
“I’m healthy, happy, and in good shape. And I am needed, I can feel this feedback from the team,” said Neuer in an interview with Welt. “That’s why I enjoy it a lot. As long as that’s the case, I want to continue to play.”
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Neuer’s strategy to ensure he can extend his career as long as possible is pretty simple: Take care of himself physically and to let his body dictate what he can and cannot do.
“You have to listen to your body, health is a big factor. It is difficult to give an age (for retirement),” Neuer said. “Anyway, I never want to feel like I’m dragging myself into a season.”
Even with that heightened focus on how he feels, there likely still won’t be enough playing time available to appease back-up Alexander Nubel, who wants 12 to 18 games on the pitch next season.