"Nothing worth achieving is ever easy," Kasper Schmeichel

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Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League Media Conference on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: Tomorrow is a match between two old goalkeepers. Manuel Neuer has extended his contract to 2026, so he will play with 40 years in goal. What’s the limit for you, for goalkeepers? Is it 41, 42, 43?

Kasper Schmeichel: “I don’t like that word. I would rather use the word experience. I think experience is the biggest gift you can have in this game. If you’re physically still able and you have 800-900 games under your belt, then it’s the biggest advantage you can have. I think it’s probably about 19 years ago since I played against Manuel the first time, and I followed his career very, very closely. He’s probably one of the best to ever play in goal. I’d probably say he’s the most complete goalkeeper I’ve ever seen. No weaknesses, just lots and lots of strengths. If he plays like he did the other night, then there’s no limit.”

Manuel Neuer of Bayern Munich during the UEFA Champions League Media Conference on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“I’m certainly not the type of person to set limits. I look at every opportunity as a gift, and you’ve got to take them. I’m delighted for him. He had a massive injury, and he’s come back from that. He’s still one of the best goalkeepers in the world. It’s always a pleasure to play against him.”

Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Celtic and Bayern München at Celtic Park on February 12, 2025.. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Q: There’s been a suggestion that Harry Kane might not play tomorrow, that he didn’t train today, that he missed training. As someone who’s obviously in direct competition with him, is that the kind of thing that would give you a boost, or does it really make no difference at all?

Kasper Schmeichel: “I know Harry from obviously our time together at Leicester, and I’ve played against him so many times that I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t play.”

Q: The Schmeichel family name has a fairly rich history in the Champions League against Bayern Munich. I’m just wondering if you have any memories at all of watching your dad in the final in ’99 against Bayern?

Kasper Schmeichel: “Memories? Probably a lot of it is a bit of a blur. It was an incredible night for him.It’s funny because Bayern have been one of those clubs that my family has followed forever. My grandfather loved Bayern Munich, and through that, we’ve always kind of followed the club, so that night was special to play against Bayern Munich. It was an incredible occasion, and obviously, for our family, it was a very joyful occasion. I think Bayern went on to win it twice after that, and also, I think everyone got out what they needed.”