‘40 is young’ — Vincent Kompany urges on Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer

Vincent Kompany has dismissed any suggestion that Manuel Neuer’s looming 40th birthday should signal the twilight of the Bayern Munich goalkeeper’s career, insisting the milestone is no barrier to prolonging elite-level performance.

Neuer, who celebrates the landmark at the end of March, has returned to peak form this season after a serious injury lay-off, and Kompany believes the veteran’s mental drive is the decisive factor in his longevity.

“40 is young – I didn’t realize that back then,” the Bayern head coach reflected in comments carried by @iMiaSanMia. “But now I know. My knees had other ideas; otherwise I could have carried on playing. ‘Hunger’ is the key word.”

Kompany, himself still only a year younger than his skipper, highlighted the psychological resilience required to maintain top-flight standards. “Manuel has fought his way back from a serious injury. He was in incredible form this season – that was impressive. He keeps delivering time and again. We’re almost the same age. It’s about the mental side, not just the physical. If his body stays in good shape, that’s one thing. But what’s impressive is how he keeps motivating himself mentally time and time again. You really need a lot of motivation to reach that level.”

Footage released on Bayern’s social channels shows Neuer training with the intensity of a player a decade younger, prompting Kompany to joke that he too could dust off his boots if granted a clean bill of health. The shared mindset between coach and captain underpins Bayern’s belief that age is merely a footnote when ambition and professionalism remain intact.