Neuer moves above Messi and Muller in Champions League appearance rankings

Manuel Neuer says overtaking Lionel Messi and Thomas Muller to move into third place for Champions League appearances is “very special”, particularly after the injuries he has experienced during his career.

Neuer drew level with Messi and Muller in Bayern Munich’s previous match against Arsenal. With both players no longer involved in the Champions League, he has since moved ahead of them.

“This is very special for me,” Neuer said. “Considering the injuries I’ve had in my career, I’ve waited quite a long time. I think I’ll climb a bit further up the rankings now.

“In the last game against Arsenal, I equaled Messi and Muller. They have both left the Champions League, so the path for me to overtake them is clear.”

Mubarak Haruna

Mubarak Haruna is an emerging force in African football journalism, recognised for his speed, accuracy and ability to break major stories. He specialises in breaking news, match coverage and multimedia storytelling across radio, television and digital platforms.He holds a degree in Journalism from the Ghana Institute of Journalism and has developed his craft within some of Ghana’s leading media organisations. Mubarak has worked with the Multimedia Group, where he served as a sports radio and television presenter at Joy FM, while also contributing as a writer for Myjoyonline.com.Known for his sharp instincts and ability to deliver timely football stories, Mubarak has gained growing recognition for his impactful reporting and dedication to the profession.He is currently the Deputy Managing Editor of African.Football, where he plays a key role in driving editorial operations, breaking major stories and supporting the platform’s mission to deliver fast, reliable and high-quality African football content to a global audience.

See Full Bio