Manuel Neuer injured as Bayern Munich suffer another setback against Mainz

Manuel Neuer was forced off with a right-foot injury as Bayern Munich faced Mainz in the Bundesliga on Saturday, adding to the club’s growing list of fitness concerns.

The Bayern captain went down in the 40th minute after attempting to deal with a ball inside his penalty area. He received treatment on the pitch before the Bayern coaching staff decided he could not continue, replacing him with Jonas Urbig.

Bayern were leading 1-0 when Neuer left the game.

The injury came shortly after a Mainz attack that ended with Lee Jae-sung putting the ball into the net. The goal was ruled out for offside, however, before attention turned to Neuer’s problem.

The 40-year-old Germany international had been selected to start the match, which carried particular significance because it made him the oldest player to appear for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

There were immediate concerns that Neuer’s latest issue could be connected to the foot problem that had already kept him out of three matches. He had only recently returned to action, featuring in Bayern’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

Neuer’s departure leaves Bayern with another injury worry while the club are already without several important players. Jamal Musiala, Ismaila Sarr, Serge Gnabry and Luis Diaz were also unavailable.

The match against Mainz was being played during a demanding period for Bayern, with the club listed for a Bundesliga fixture against Koln on 20 November 2026. Augsburg were scheduled to face Mainz in the Bundesliga on 22 November 2026.

Neuer had been Bayern’s established first-choice goalkeeper before this latest setback. He had been able to return against Atletico Madrid after his previous absence, but the recurrence of discomfort in his right foot now raises fresh uncertainty over his availability.

Bayern’s medical team will assess the goalkeeper after he was withdrawn. No further details about the severity of the injury were given during the match.