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Bayern Munich captain Manuel Neuer has written another historic chapter in European football after surpassing Lionel Messi on the UEFA Champions League all-time appearance list.
The veteran German shot-stopper achieved the feat after starting in Bayern Munich's Champions League group-phase clash against Atlético Madrid.
That outing marked Neuer’s 164th career appearance in Europe’s premier club competition.
That moves him clear as the outright most-capped German player in tournament history ahead of former teammate Thomas Müller (163 matches).
Beyond claiming national supremacy, the milestone lifted the 40-year-old goalkeeper into third place on the competition's all-time appearances.
Climbing above the iconic Lionel Messi, who bowed out of Europe after 163 games.
Neuer now sits 13 games behind legendary Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and 19 matches adrift of Cristiano Ronaldo’s all-time pinnacle of 183 outings.