by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- Late on Tuesday night, Manuel Neuer cut a satisfied figure after playing a decisive role in Bayern Munich's 2-1 win away at Real Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinal.
The match against Real Madrid appeared to carry significance beyond the result for the 40-year-old. After a string of outstanding saves, the Germany international seemed to have delivered another clear statement about his future.
Neuer won praise from all sides for a superb display against elite forwards such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, reinforcing the impression that he remains ready for another season in a Bayern shirt.
The result itself, Bayern's first win there since 2001, was important ahead of the second leg on April 15. But just as striking was the sense that Neuer still relishes being fully immersed in the life of a top-level player.
"Many factors play a role, including how I am doing health-wise," he said, describing it as "an important day and an important game for me."
Recently, after turning 40, the 2014 FIFA World Cup winner said: "There is no deadline. We have all the time in the world, the club and me. We are easy on that."
One thing already appears settled for the 2020 treble winner: he has no intention of returning to the German national team.
"All has been said. We leave it at that. I will concentrate on Bayern."
Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl has renewed the club's offer for the goalkeeper to extend for another year.
"He doesn't need to deliver any facts. He is to stay healthy, and we will meet one day," Eberl said, referring to the moment when Neuer signs a new contract prepared by the club and approved by all parties.
In Madrid, Neuer seemed to take as much satisfaction from how he felt as from the result itself, as he weighed his next step.
"40 is young," coach Vincent Kompany said, adding: "I turn 40 next weekend, and I can tell you, it's young."
Even so, once the talk turned to his future, Neuer quickly shifted the focus back to football.
"It's a pity it wasn't a 2-0," he said. He joked about the mistake that allowed Mbappe to score, saying "That was a cheek", before returning to the bigger picture and reminding his teammates that a difficult second leg against resilient opposition still lies ahead.
In that moment, as Neuer turned back to the task on the pitch, his competitive drive still seemed as strong as ever. ■
