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Anika Neuer, at the age of 24, has made the choice to step back from her career in professional handball.
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Meanwhile, the Bayern Munich star is continuing his career at the age of 39
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Anika, Manuel Neuer’s wife, has decided to take a hiatus from her professional handball career at the conclusion of this season.
Anika, aged 24, has been playing as a left-wing player for ESV 1927 Regensburg, which competes in the second tier of Germany’s women’s handball league.
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.
In a statement confirming the news, she stated: “This choice was extremely challenging for me. I genuinely have affection for the team and I truly relish playing alongside these girls.”
I view this break not as the conclusion of my handball career, but rather as an opportunity to dedicate more time to my son.
‘I will deeply cherish my time with the girls and handball, hence I aim to savor every moment of the concluding matches and cap off our fantastic season splendidly.’
At the same time, her coach, Bernhard Goldbach, remarked: “What Ani has accomplished both on and off the pitch this season is truly remarkable.”
She returned from maternity leave more resilient than before and participated in every game of the season. We can only admire that.”
Anika comes from a family deeply involved in sports; her father serves as the chairman of the supervisory board at HC Erlangen, which is one of the nearby club teams.
Anika and Manuel — he is 15 years her senior — got married in November 2023 and welcomed their son Luca into the world last March.
The event took place in secrecy, and no formal declaration was issued; nonetheless, Anika promptly altered her last name to ‘Neuer’ online.
Although she has decided to leave the sport for the benefit of their child, her spouse will keep playing 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Neuer appeared to injure his calf while celebrating Jamal Musiala’s goal on the night, and was withdrawn after 58 minutes.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.
The reason wasn’t just due to their 15-year age difference; Neuer also departed from his spouse 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.
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