The 28th October was the day. Manuel Neuer had been fighting for this moment for around 10 months: in the 8-0 win at home to SV Darmstadt 98, the FC Bayern captain celebrated his comeback between the posts for the German record champions. "I'm as happy as I've ever been to have finally made it," said Neuer after the game. In December 2022, the goalkeeper suffered a fracture of his right lower leg and had been working on his return since. We followed the FCB number one in his rehab and bring you one-off insights behind the scenes in our documentary, Battle for Comeback - Manuel Neuer's Way Back in Goal. It's worth a watch!
Revealing documentary with interviews & behind-the-scenes footage
We were by Neuer's side in the 32-minute film: from the first steps but also setbacks in rehab, to the first training session on the pitch, the return to full training and the big comeback at the Allianz Arena. Here you see some fascinating behind-the-scenes footages and exclusive interviews with Neuer and FC Bayern's medical team, led by Prof. Dr. Peter Ueblacker and Dr. Jochen Hahne.
Neuer talks about, among other things, the accident that caused the serious injury. "It was tough to accept, but I always dealt with it positively. Giving up wasn't an option for me," describes the 37-year-old. The FCB doctors also explain the circumstances and complications, but also Neuer's incredible determination to come back. "It was probably the most serious injury we've seen here in recent years. But we never doubted that he would come back, because he's Manuel Neuer," says Ueblacker. "We were always firmly convinced that it'd work out," says Hahne, who also reveals a special encounter over the Christmas period.
Neuer: 'Always felt the confidence'
After a gruelling 10 months with ups and downs, Neuer made his long-awaited comeback in goal against Darmstadt. "It takes a special willpower to overcome that and then come back in such a way. All the more respect to him that he kept fighting to get to the point
where luckily he is now," adds Ueblacker. "I'm grateful to everyone who's cared for me. I always felt the confidence," says Neuer, who was particularly pleased that all those involved in his comeback journey – the surgeons, the helpers at the scene of the accident as well as the doctors, fitness coaches and physiotherapists – were in the stadium for his comeback and that he could thank them in such a special way for their support.