Manuel Neuer's private life has reportedly taken an unexpected turn, with German media claiming that the Bayern Munich goalkeeper has separated from his wife, Anika Neuer, just months after the couple welcomed their second child.
According to German newspaper Bild, the 40-year-old Bayern captain and his 26-year-old wife have gone their separate ways. The reported split comes only a short time after the couple celebrated the birth of their second child in late August, giving their two-year-old son Luca a younger brother.
When approached by Bild for a comment, Neuer declined to address the reports. His media adviser stated that the goalkeeper has no intention of discussing matters concerning his private or family life. Anika has also yet to make any public statement regarding the situation.
The reported separation comes approximately a year and a half after the couple celebrated their lavish wedding in South Tyrol in July 2025. The multi-day celebrations included romantic ceremonies, lakeside gatherings at Lake Kaltern, live music, dancing and a final party by the swimming pool.
The pair had previously tied the knot in a private civil ceremony in November 2023 at the town hall in Tegernsee. Their marriage only became public knowledge after Anika changed her Instagram surname from Bissel to Neuer.
This is not the first time the Bayern goalkeeper has experienced a high-profile relationship breakdown. Before his relationship with Anika, Neuer was involved in a five-year romance with Kathrin Gilch. The couple had reportedly been planning their future together, including marriage and building a home.
Gilch was also by Neuer's side during Germany's successful 2014 World Cup campaign in Brazil, celebrating the national team's historic triumph with him on the pitch. However, shortly after the tournament, Neuer's agent confirmed that the relationship had come to an end, revealing that the separation had taken place several weeks earlier. At the time, he stressed that the matter was private and would not be discussed further.
Neuer's first marriage, to professional dressage rider Nina Neuer, also ended in divorce. The couple married in 2017 before separating in 2020.
The latest reports add another chapter to the goalkeeper's complicated relationship history. Despite being one of the most recognisable figures in German football, Neuer has consistently maintained a clear boundary between his professional career and personal affairs, rarely addressing his relationships in public.
His reported separation from Anika appears to be no exception, with both sides choosing to remain silent as speculation continues to circulate in the German media.