Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has revealed that he required three operations on his face after being diagnosed with skin cancer.
The 36-year-old took to Instagram on Wednesday to share that he has been suffering from the disease and to launch a new unisex skincare line along with German tennis star Angelique Kerber.
German news outlet Bild report that speculation about Neuer's condition began in December 2021, when he was seen wearing a plaster on his face for Bayern's Champions League fixture against Barcelona.
Neuer now has a facial scar following three separate surgeries, while Kerber – a three-time Grand Slam winner – has suffered from sun-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin caused by exposure to the sun.
Speaking in a video on Instagram, Neuer said: "We both have a history of skin diseases. In my case, skin cancer on my face, which required three surgeries. When it comes to sunscreen, we have therefore paid attention to maximum protection.
"Since we train outside all the time and also like to spend our free time in nature, it is essential for us to start with modern sun protection filters and a sun protection factor of 50+.
"So we know for sure that we have a sunscreen that protects us continuously and with which hardly anything can burn."
Neuer, who contracted coronavirus during the September international break, has been sidelined since the beginning of October with a shoulder injury and has missed Bayern's last seven matches across all competitions.
The veteran goalkeeper is now facing a race against time to fit in time for the 2022 World Cup, but Bayern head coach Julian Nagelsmann is hopeful that he will return to first-team action for Saturday's Bundesliga clash away at Hertha Berlin.
Speaking to reporters before Bayern's Champions League win over Inter Milan on Tuesday, Nagelsmann said: "We hope he'll be available again for the weekend. He came through training well and didn't show any reaction. But we'll have to wait and see."
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When pressed on whether he will be fit to represent Germany at the World Cup, Nagelsmann added: "I don't know because I'm not a clairvoyant.
"I'm not assuming he won't be able to play at the World Cup. I'm firmly assuming he will – but I'm not a clairvoyant. If he still has persistent pain in five weeks, then he won't play in it."
Neuer is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, playing 485 times for Bayern across all competitions and winning a total of 28 trophies with the Bavarian giants.
The 113-cap Germany international has lifted the Bundesliga title in each of the last 10 seasons with Bayern, as well as two Champions Leagues, two Club World Cups, two UEFA Super Cups, five DFB-Pokals and seven DFL-Supercups.
Neuer, who also won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, will be hoping to get some minutes under his belt between the sticks for Bayern before Die Mannschaft head coach Hansi Flick confirms his 26-man squad for the tournament in Qatar by November 13.
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