http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manuel_NeuerPortrait about his club, if interested. Schalke was founded in 1904, that's why it's called Schalke 04.
http://www.schalke04.com/club/portrait.htmlSince my english is limitated.
He was born in Gelsenkirchen-Buer, which is right next to the Arena AufSchalke (Veltins-Arena). Since his youth he was a fan of Schalke 04. He started his career at the youth clubs of Schalke and once was a Ball-boy for the First League Team. He admitted, that he was saving time, to get the ball back, to help his team win the match. Until now, it was his one and only club and Manu made clear, that his contract is settled until 2012 and that he won't leave Schalke, unless they won't reach the Champions League places.
Bayern München tried to get him, but he said No and right after he said No, they said, that they didn't even try to get him, that he was never an option.
lol Schalkes Archrival is Borussia Dortmund, because the cities are rivals as well. Both are settled in the so called Pott (where mineworkers used to work at coalmines).
But many Schalke-Fans also hate Bayern München from their deepest heart, since a very much discussed freekick (they said, the ref was helping the FCB to win) stole their Eighth German Championship from them. The problem is, that only won Championships after 1963 (when the Bundesliga was created) and from clubs that were playing in the Bundesliga are allowed to show championsstars on the jerseys of their clubs. This means, that some clubs, who were successful before 1963 or in the GDR aren't able to show, what they have achieved, while playing in the Bundesliga (which is hosted by the DFL - German Football League). The DFB said, it's unfair and said, that clubs can show what they have achieved, but the DFL denied the decision of the DFB, so atm the clubs can wear championsstars while playing in Leagues under the 3 Bundesliga Leagues, but if they attend one of the 3 Bundesliga Leagues, they have to take it off.
Schalke for example would have two stars (but currently has 0) and after the ref did destroy their hopes for another championship since 1958 and Bayern München got champion again, they were really really pissed. Plus Bayern München and 1. FC Nürnberg are enemies as well and Schalke and Nürnberg are befriended.
Manu often wears a shirt under his Jersey where the word Buerschenschaft is imprinted. Manu once said it's a Tribute to his friends. Since he comes from Gelsenkirchen-Buer and he and his friends called themselves Buerschenschaft (Burschenschaften (without the e) are student fraternities found at Universities in Germany, Austria and Chile).
At the Champions League match against Porto, he saved his Team quite a few times, including holding some penalties at the penalty shootout. It was one of the best matches he ever did and the start of his international career.
More information follows, since my best friend is Schalke Fan and always gets Newsletters and fancatalogues of the club.
Reply
