Age-defying? Vincent Kompany says ‘40 is still young’ after Manuel Neuer lifts Bayern Munich past Real Madrid
The FC Bayern keeper — who is only just barely older than his head coach — had an outstanding Champions League match
Real Madrid's French forward #10 Kylian Mbappe (R) shoots but fails to score past Bayern Munich's German goalkeeper #01 Manuel Neuer during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg football match between Real Madrid CF and FC Bayern Munich at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on April 7, 2026. (Photo by Oscar DEL POZO / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images Vincent Kompany has said it before, he’ll say it again: 40 is young . But that’s not just because the Bayern Munich coach is turning 40 himself in three days.
His goalkeeper, the venerable Manuel Neuer, has just put on the kind of age-defying performance that leaves jaws on the floor…and against Real Madrid, no less. In the Champions League, at their house. No matter and no big .
“We needed some strong defensive phases,” Kompany acknowledged after the match (as captured via @iMiaSanMia ). “And Manu made some incredible saves. “I’ve said it before: 40 is still young.
I’ll be 40 this weekend and I know it’s still young. We needed those moments from him today. There’s no success at this level without these moments from a goalkeeper, a defender, a striker… and we’ll need that again next week.