MUNICH, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will miss the rest of the season with a broken leg incurred while skiing.
Neuer was in goal for Germany's at the FIFA World Cup, where they were knocked out of the tournament at the group stage for the second time in four years, after a 2-1 defeat to Japan, a 1-1 draw with Spain and an ultimately fruitless 4-2 win against Costa Rica.
The 36-year-old went on a short holiday after Germany's World Cup exit, only to break his leg while long-distance skiing.
The keeper underwent a successful operation on Friday and posted a photo on his social media sites.
"What can I say? The end of the year could have gone better. While I was trying to clear my head cross-country skiing, I fractured the lower part of my leg. The operation went well and I thank the doctors, but it hurts me to say that the season is over for me," wrote Neuer.
The keeper is Bayern's second significant injury victim in recent weeks, after French international defender Lucas Hernandez suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in the opening match of the tournament against Australia. ■
