FC Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer said on Sunday that he wants to continue playing after the current season despite his retirement from the national team earlier this week.

Neuer’s contract with FC Bayern runs until the end of the season.

In an interview with the German sports magazine Kicker, Neuer said: “I am not going into this season with the idea of ​​saying goodbye afterwards…

“If we finish the season successfully with the new coaching team and new momentum, then for me that means I will have a lot of fun.

“And if it’s fun, I’ll definitely keep going.”

The 38-year-old said on Wednesday that he felt able to play for Germany until the 2026 World Cup, but announced that he would withdraw from his commitment to concentrate on FC Bayern.

“Of course the decision makes me a little sad, but at the same time I am also very relieved,” said the 2014 world champion.

Neuer said talks about a contract extension at FC Bayern were “still a long way off,” but added: “The time will come.”

Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, who has a contract with Bayern until 2029 but is currently on loan to Stuttgart until 2026, is generally considered a possible successor to Neuer in Munich.

Neuer came to FC Bayern from his youth club Schalke in 2011 and won eleven Bundesliga titles and the Champions League twice with the Bavarian team.

This season’s Champions League final will take place in FC Bayern’s Allianz Arena.

Neuer is the third 2014 World Cup winner, after Toni Kroos and Thomas Müller, to end his career in the German national team this summer.

German captain Ilkay Gündogan, who missed the 2014 World Cup due to injury, also retired from the national team this week.

dwi/jc