Manuel Neuer’s shoe ‘kept his leg together’ after a horrific accident while skiing

According to reports, Manuel Neuer’s ski injury could have been “much worse” if the emergency services had not been nearby with a “rescue helicopter”.

The 36-year-old, who went skiing in Italy after Germany fell at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, had fractured his tibia and fibula during the trip.

According to BILD, the “open fracture on the right leg led to heavy bleeding at the accident site”.

Neuer’s injury could have been “much worse” if emergency services hadn’t been nearby

However, Neuer’s ski boot is said to have held the wound together when the rescue workers arrived.

BILD credits this as crucial to Neuer’s recovery as the compression limited the swelling around the injury.

Neuer’s surgery would have been postponed if the skin around the incision continued to expand because doctors didn’t want to risk complications from the procedure.

The 36-year-old, who went skiing in Italy after Germany fell at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, had fractured his tibia and fibula during the trip

This could therefore have hampered the healing process of Neuer’s right leg and kept the goalkeeper out of action for longer than expected.

Delayed surgery can reportedly cause “deep infections, prolonged hospital stays, and repeated surgeries to dress or redress the edges of the wound.”

However, the speed of the emergency services played an important role in preventing this.

The 36-year-old Germany captain was lucky that the rescue workers were there quickly to take care of him.

According to BILD, a rescue helicopter from the nearby accident clinic in Murnau was available at the time of the accident and rushed to his aid.

Her promptness in visiting the scene meant Neuer could be put under the knife and begin the recovery process the same day.

After the incident, the German captain said it wasn’t the best way to end the year

The operation went well and the doctors were confident that “no further complications” were to be expected.

However, Neuer will take a long break and continue his rehabilitation measures at Bayern Munich.

According to the current status, he may “move his leg again” at the end of February at the earliest. March is said to be a reasonable time frame.

As such, his girlfriend Anika Bissel will continue to drive him to and from the training ground to visit the club’s medical team.