Manuel Neuer

Why this one matters.

“Manuel Neuer's entire career was written outside the lines of the goalkeeping textbook, and this card's back captures the essence of it: from a boy colouring pictures of goalkeepers to Germany's revolutionary last line, he made the space behind the back line his own. Whenever a ball was lofted over the defence, the sensational stopper was quick to rush out and smother the chance — "if he can't get the ball, he won't get any opportunity," Neuer told Sports Illustrated, explaining the sweeper-keeper doctrine that became his trademark. A Schalke 04 academy graduate, he joined Bayern Munich in 2011 and immediately backstopped the 2013 treble, lifting the European Cup at Wembley. The following summer he delivered one of the most influential goalkeeping displays in history at the 2014 World Cup, sweeping behind Germany's defence across Brazil and winning the Golden Glove as Die Mannschaft beat Argentina 1-0 in the Rio final. Named Germany captain after Euro 2016, he collected six IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper awards and a second Champions League title with the 2020 treble side in Lisbon. This Eminence Optimum Patch Autograph combines a pristine match-worn Bayern "MÜNCHEN" crest patch with a bold on-card gold autograph at the Platinum one-of-one tier — and PSA/DNA has graded that signature a perfect Auto 10 (Cert 87273500), making it the ideal companion piece to the Jumbo Patch edition and the sharpest possible monument to the goalkeeper who redefined what a number one could be.”