Here are 10 lesser-known facts about German 'sweeper-keeper' Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer, popularly known as the 'Sweeper-Keeper', is a German professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for and captains both, Bayern Munich and the Germany national team. He is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of all times. Under his guidance, Germany team lifted FIFA World Cup trophy in 2014. Here are some lesser known and very interesting facts that you did not know about Manuel Neuer:

1. He has grown up following his childhood hero, former Schalke goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. He is also compared with the likes of former German goalkeeper, Oliver Kahn, and even said to be the 'right hands' to fill the Van Der Sar’s gloves. But Neuer says that Lehmann is the greatest of all time.

2. He won €500,000 in November 2011 on "Wer wird Millionar?" The German version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire."

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3. He was born as a football freak, something that comes from his 'genes', and got his first football when he was only 2. He and his brother Marcel used to spend hours playing in the streets of their hometown. Now, Neuer is the goalkeeper of Germany's national side and also, of Bayern Munich. And Marcel is currently a referee in the Verbandsliga. Neuer played his first game when he was 4 years and 341 days old, on March 3, 1991.

4. An amazing fact about him is that he is known as “sweeper-keeper”. His teammates have given him this name because of his great goalkeeping skills.

5. Another impressive fact about him is that, falling behind only to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo he grabbed the third slot in FIFA Ballon d'Or Award in 2014.

6. He has won Footballer of the Year in Germany Award twice. The first time he grabbed the title in 2011 and second time in the year of 2014. 

7. He has been the winner of UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year Award due to his impressive performance in UEFA Champions League. Even noticeable fact is that he has grabbed the title thrice in a row for the years 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively.

8. He holds the record of being the second most expensive goalkeeper of all time only behind Gianluigi Buffon. In 2011, he was picked up by Bayern offering him a five-year contract and an amount worth €22 million. This made him second most expensive goalkeeper of all time.

9. A very inspiring fact about Manuel is that he runs a charity foundation for children titled Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation which actively works for the betterment of children. 

"I want to give back to disadvantaged children in my home region something of what I was lucky enough to have in my own youth: opportunities and prospects in life," said Neuer.

10. His career at international level is quite sound. He has won 1 FIFA World Cup for the year 2014 and 1 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship for the year 2009.