Neuer overtakes Müller and Messi in Champions League appearance tally

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, aged forty, recorded his 164th UEFA Champions League appearance in Bayern Munich’s 2026/27 league‑phase visit to Atlético Madrid, moving him into third place on the all‑time list and ahead of former teammate Thomas Müller and Lionel Messi, both on 163.

Only Cristiano Ronaldo (183) and Iker Casillas (177) have featured more often in the Champions League than Neuer.

He arrived at Bayern from Schalke in 2011 and has been a mainstay of the club’s European campaigns ever since.

Neuer helped Bayern lift the Champions League trophy in 2012/13 and again in 2019/20.

Manuel Neuer breaks Müller record, ranks third in Champions League

The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner continues to perform at the highest level well into his fourth decade.

He could add to his tally when Bayern travel to Lille on 25 November in the same competition.

Earlier this year the Gelsenkirchen native hinted the 2026/27 season might be his last, after signing a one‑year contract extension to the end of the campaign.

The accompanying photograph is credited to Leonhard Simon.