Manuel Neuer was the best goalkeeper in the world in his 20s and 30s, and arguably still is after turning 40 at the end of March. Just ask Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior...
Real's fearsome duo were repelled time and again as Bayern ran out 2-1 winners in the Spanish capital, the Bundesliga leaders seizing a priceless first-leg advantage in their blockbuster UEFA Champions League tie
Mbappé did manage to squeeze a goal past Neuer after Luis Díaz and Harry Kane had put Bayern 2-0 up, but that took nothing away from what was a true goalkeeping clinic by the evergreen German custodian.
"I think Neuer was MVP," admitted Real coach Álvaro Arbeloa. "We had so many chances to score more goals, but we didn't do it."
Neuer made nine saves in total, on what was his 136th Champions League appearance in Bayern colours. For reference, only former goalkeeping great Iker Casillas has made more for one club (149 for Real).
The ex-Germany No.1 exuded confidence when facing down Mbappé and Vinicius in one-on-ones, and pulled off diving saves his once teenaged self would have been proud of.
Even when his resistance was broken at close quarters in the 74th minute, the 40-year-old stopper still managed to get a hand to the effort.
"Was it really in? That's outrageous! It must have been a goalkeeping error," Neuer joked afterwards.
