Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a calf muscle tear after celebrating during his team’s 3-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Neuer was taken off in the second half, just after Jamal Musiala scored Bayern’s second goal. His exit gave 21-year-old Jonas Urbig a chance to make his debut.
Bayern confirmed the 38-year-old’s injury in a statement on Thursday, saying he would be sidelined for now.
“It happened while celebrating,” Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said. “That’s a shame for us.”
Neuer, who recently extended his contract until 2025, had only returned in October after missing nearly a year due to a skiing accident in December 2022.
Despite Urbig’s lack of experience, Bayern remained dominant in the match. They hold an eight-point lead in the Bundesliga and are in a strong position for the return leg against Leverkusen next week.
