Germany and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in a skiing accident.
The 36-year-old was on holiday after Germany's exit from the World Cup at the group stage but suffered the injury which needed surgery. Neuer confirmed he will not play again this season.
He posted on Instagram : "What can I say, the end of the year could have definitely gone better... While I was trying to get my head clear while ski touring, I suffered a lower leg fracture.
"Yesterday's surgery went well. Many thanks to the doctors! However, it hurts to know that the current season is over for me."
Neuer played all three games for Germany in Qatar as his side embarrassingly exited at the group stage for the second successive World Cup. After losing to Japan and drawing with Spain, a 4-2 victory over Costa Rica was not enough to see them through.
The goalkeeper was vocal in his criticism of his colleagues after the Japan loss. Ilkay Gundogan's penalty had put Hansi Flick's team in charge, only for substitutes Ritsu Doan and Takuma Asano to turn the game around in the second half.
"We created a lot of chances to score, so luck and bad luck go hand in hand," he said. The imperative that we wanted to score the second goal was perhaps missing and we brought Japan back into the game.
"After the break, we didn't have that flow of play anymore, didn't play with the self-confidence we had in the first half. It was a bit more difficult because they started higher, but we still have to play well.”
How will Bayern cope without Neuer? Have your say in the comments section
Neuer, who is under contract at Bayern until 2024, has been heavily involved in his team's impressive start to the season. He has played 12 times in the league to help Julian Nagelsmann's team open up a four-point lead going into the winter break, while also playing three of Bayern's six Champions League games as they topped a group containing Inter Milan, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen with maximum points.
"The news of Manuel's injury shocked us all," Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said in a statement. "We will stand by him and accompany him on his way to his comeback. He will also overcome this serious injury and return to the pitch as strong as before."
"The fact that Manuel had such an accident is terrible, and of course all our thoughts are with him," board member and former midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic added. "I spoke with him yesterday and today, and the surgery went as well as possible.
"Manuel will receive all the support he needs. He is a strong personality and will come back. I wish him all the best, he can rely on FC Bayern!"
