Neuer Continues Football Career As Younger Wife Pauses Sport

Anika Neuer, 24, has taken the decision to walk away from professional handball while the Bayern Munich star is continuing his career at the age of 39

Manuel Neuer’s wife, Anika, has taken the decision to have a break from professional handball at the end of the season.

Anika, 24, has been plying her trade as a left-winger for ESV 1927 Regensburg, who are in the second-tier of women’s handball in the country.

Having grown up with a strong passion for the sport, many fans will be left surprised that she has opted to walk away from it, at least temporarily, later this year.

Confirming the news in a statement, she said: ‘The decision was very difficult for me. I really like the team and I really enjoy playing with the girls.

‘I don’t see the break as the end of my handball career; I just want to have more time for my son.

‘I will miss the girls and handball very much, so I want to particularly enjoy the final games and finish our great season in the best possible way.’

Meanwhile, her coach, Bernhard Goldbach, said: ‘It’s simply impressive what Ani has achieved on and off the field this season.

‘She came back from maternity leave stronger than ever and played in all of her season’s games. We can only take our hats off to that.’

Anika has a strong upbringing centered around the sport with her father being the chairman of the supervisory board of HC Erlangen – one of the local clubs.

Anika and Manuel – who is 15 years senior to his wife – tied the knot in November 2023 and had welcomed the birth of their son Luca in March last year.

The ceremony was conducted in secret and an official announcement was never made, however Anika swiftly changed her surname to ‘Neuer’ on social media.

While she has taken the decision to walk away from the sport for the sake of their son, her husband will continue to play for Bayern Munich.

The German goalkeeper, however, has been sidelined with injury after injuring himself while celebrating during their 3-0 win over rivals Bayer Leverkusen back in March.

Neuer appeared to injure his calf while celebrating Jamal Musiala’s goal on the night, and was withdrawn after 58 minutes.

Neuer recently signed a one-year contract extension with Bayern Munich that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2026, taking him into his 40s.

The relationship between the handball player and Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper and team captain has stirred up much controversy.

Not only because of the 15-year age gap but also because Neuer left his wife of three years, Nina Weiss, for Anika.

In 2019, Weiss discovered her husband had been having an affair with a 19-year-old fashion business student in Munich, who is also a handball sensation.

Weiss, who bears a striking resemblance to her ex-husband’s new partner, ended her two-year marriage to the footballer and left their home in Munich for Berlin.

The pair reportedly met at the airport when they took a photo together and a romance blossomed from then.

Dailymail.co.uk