Think of one of the best goalkeepers in the world and a picture of Manuel Neuer pops up in our minds. Throughout the years, the German superstar has transcended unparalleled heights of success. But beyond the soccer pitch, not many are acquainted with a lesser-known love chapter of the World Cup winner’s life. Today, we would like to introduce you to Neuer’s second wife, Anika Bissel, who is not only 14 years younger than the Bayern Munich star but also a former handball star.

Say hello to Manuel Neuer’s second wife Anika Bissel

Anika Bissel, now Anika Neuer, was born on June 11, 2000. She grew up in Germany’s Erlangen region, not so far from the Czech Republic, and is 298 miles from Gelsenkirchen, where Manuel Neuer was born and bred. She was born to her father, Dr. Carsten Bissel, and mother Ute Bissel. Interestingly, Dr. Carsten is very successful and quite a renowned lawyer.

He is also the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of HC Erlangen, a handball club that competes in Liqui Moly Handball Bundesliga (Liqui Moly HBL). Meanwhile, Mrs. Ute also works for the club’s administration side. Anika has a brother named Christopher, who is also involved with HC Erlangen and currently plays as a left winger.

Unlike her family, Anika hasn’t been involved with handball since she married Manuel Neuer. After starting at the very same club her other family members work for as a left winger, she played for Bayernliga women’s side, SG H2Ku Herrenberg, before playing for ESV 1927 Regensburg. Notably, sports isn’t the only forte she excels in; The 24-year-old completed her graduation from LDT Akademie Fashion Management, a leading college in Germany, between September 2019 and August 2019. Presently, she works as a Textile business economist for Kinga Mathe, a German traditional costume fashion label.

How has it all begun for Anika Bissel and Manuel Neuer?

Anika Bissle has been linked with Manuel Neuer since 2020. A year later in the Euros, she was seen cheering for the goalie alongside his mother, Marita. Following the 2022 World Cup, the pair were spotted catching a live handball game between HC Enlarngen and Füchse Berlin in Nuremberg. Aside from the dating phase, Anika and Manuel kept their wedding quite private. It was last year when rumors flew that the love birds tied the knot.

The ceremony reportedly took place in November 2023 near Tegernsee Lake and lasted not more than 30 minutes. Rather than keeping a grand reception, the couple kept a small get-together. Surprisingly, reports came that during the time of their wedding, Anika was pregnant. If the word is true, they are expecting a kid in spring 2024. Furthermore, it would mark the birth of Neuer’s first child, who still hasn’t been a parent to a little one.

Unlike other soccer WAGs, Anika keeps a low profile on social media. Her Instagram handle, @anikaneuer3, boasts just 135 posts and 468 followers as of June 2024. While Neuer and Bissle enjoy each other’s company, let’s discuss the goalie’s previous relationships and marriages.

Who was Manuel Neuer’s ex-wife? How many relationships the goalkeeper has been in?

Before Anika Bessle, Manuel Neuer was married to Nina Weiss. She was born on March 27, 1986, and raised in the same city where the goalkeeper lived. Notably, Nina is fond of horses and is a professional dressage rider aside from being a major in law and economics. She has even competed in many competitions. While she writes Nina Sophie as her name on Instagram, her handle, @ninaneuer, still has her ex-husband’s last name but impressively boasts 66K followers.

Nina and Manuel first locked eyes when the Bayern Munich star’s fax figure was unveiled for Madame Tussauds in 2014. It was reported that Nina used to work at the museum at that time. Two years later, the German skipper proposed and held a very lavish wedding. An interesting fact is that Neuer got married on crutches after he had a metatarsal fracture in 2016. However, in 2019, the couple decided to part ways.

Before Nina Weiss, Manuel Neuer was involved in a long-term relationship with Kathrin Gilch. However, they broke up in 2014, and reportedly, Weiss had a role in the goalie’s childhood breakup.