Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was shown a straight red card for the first time in his 866-match career on Tuesday during a German Cup (DFB Pokal) round of 16 clash against Bayer Leverkusen.
The 38-year-old was sent off in the 18th minute for a last-man foul on Jeremie Frimpong after rushing out of the box in his trademark sweeper-keeper style. The incident forced Bayern to bring on Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz, who made his debut for the club. Neuer was seen apologizing to coach Vincent Kompany as he left the field.
Neuer, widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, had received 23 yellow cards in his career before Tuesday’s match, all at the club level. The 2014 World Cup winner has never been cautioned during his 124 international appearances for Germany.
Germany’s head coach Julian Nagelsmann, speaking as a pundit on ARD, called the red card “indisputable” and noted, “understanding space has always been Manu’s strength, but here it might have been better to wait.”
The match, between Bayern Munich and the current cup holders Bayer Leverkusen, was tense from the outset, with referee Harm Osmers issuing three yellow cards in addition to Neuer’s dismissal in the opening 22 minutes.
Daniel Peretz, who joined Bayern in the summer of 2023 and represents Israel internationally, stepped in for Neuer. Despite his international experience, this marked Peretz’s first appearance for the Bavarian giants.
