Neuer extends contract further with Bayern Munich
Manuel Neuer has extended his deal with Bayern Munich, as rumours swirl that he could return to the Germany squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Vincent Kompany is confident that in Neuer, Bayern Munich has Germany's best goalkeeper, after the 40-year-old signed a one-year contract extension with the club.
Neuer's glittering career with Bayern will stretch into a 16th season after he committed his future to the club through 2026-2027 on Friday, with back-up Sven Ulreich doing likewise.
Neuer's new deal comes at the same time as speculation linking him with a return to Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies.
He retired from international duty after helping it reach the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024, having won 124 caps for his country and helped it win a fourth FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Since then, the Bayern goalkeeper has repeatedly pushed back on claims he could return to Nagelsmann's plans, with Hoffenheim's Oliver Baumann winning the number one shirt in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
But, ahead of Bayern's final game of the Bundesliga season, against Koln on Saturday, reports suggested Neuer could be included in Germany's preliminary 55-man squad for the tournament.
Germany has been drawn into Group E alongside Ecuador, Cote d'Ivoire and Curacao.
Asked about that speculation, Bayern boss Kompany simply said: "I have to think of my colleague Julian Nagelsmann, who now has this full pressure of picking a squad for the [FIFA] World Cup.
"Bayern are the German champions, and we have the best German goalkeeper. That says it all."
Neuer's contract extension was confirmed shortly after Kompany's pre-match press conference ahead of meeting FC Koln, and he is relishing the chance to add to the 24 major titles he has already won with the club.
"It took a bit longer because I really wanted to take my time with it, as it was a very important decision for me," Neuer said. "It feels really good.
"I've played some good games this season, I can still help the team. We have a great coaching staff, a great team, and we have the opportunity to win every competition and beat any opponent. That's why I'm delighted to be staying for another year."
Bayern clinched the Bundesliga title on 20 April (AEST), and there have been suggestions that Kompany could rest players against Koln, given the champion has a DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart to come next week.
But Kompany wants to see his team finish the campaign strongly before looking ahead to the cup final and planning for 2026-2027.
"Of course, we still have this very important cup final, but we have had a lot of success this season – and many players have developed who have given us something extra.
"The bar is very, very high now. And the aim remains that we want to develop again next year. That's the next task now."
Koln is six points clear of the relegation-promotion play-off place ahead of the final matchday, so also has nothing but pride to play for, but it could finish anywhere between 13th and 15th.
