Neuer to miss rest of season after suffering broken leg on holiday
While trying to get over Germany's shock World Cup exit, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has sustained a serious injury.
Ten days on from Germany's humiliating Qatar 2022 group stage exit, Neuer broke his leg in a skiing accident and will miss the rest of the season for Bayern Munich
"What can I say: The end of the year could have gone better," the 36-year-old posted on his Instagram account.
According to the German daily BILD, Neuer fractured the inside of his right shin bone, rather than a clean break.
He confirmed he underwent surgery to repair the damage.
"The operation went well," Neuer wrote.
"But it pains me to say that the season is over for me."
Bayern must decide whether second-choice keeper Sven Ulreich takes over the gloves for the rest of the campaign or if Neuer's injury should prompt a move for an elite replacement in the January transfer window.
Ulreich filled in when a shoulder problem kept Neuer sidelined earlier in the season, and Bayern has won all eight games in 2022-23 when the 34-year-old has started, conceding just six goals.
Former Germany Under-21 goalkeeper Alexander Nubel is in the second year of a two-year loan to Monaco, where he has been a first-team regular, and it is not yet known whether Bayern may look to recall the 26-year-old.
"The news of Manuel's injury shocked us all. We will stand by him and accompany him on his way to his comeback," Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said.
"He will also overcome this serious injury and return to the pitch as strong as before."
In a statement on the club's website, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: "The fact that Manuel had such an accident is terrible, and of course all our thoughts are with him.
"I spoke with him yesterday and today, and the surgery went as well as possible. Manuel will receive all the support he needs.
"He is a strong personality and will come back. I wish him all the best, he can rely on FC Bayern!"
Neuer, 36, would have been hoping to play a key role in Bayern's pursuit of silverware in the German top flight and Champions League after the World Cup break.
He said the injury occurred while he was "trying to get my head clear" after the misery of Germany's failure in Qatar.
Bayern faces a daunting last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain in Europe while while it is due to return to league action on January 21 (AEDT) against third-placed RB Leipzig.