12 Bayern Munich best players of all time – Update 2024

Referring to German football in general and the Bundesliga in particular, surely the first name that comes to fans’ minds is Bayern Munich. The Barvarian team is known as the Grey Lobster with a series of domestic championships. Not only that, Bayern is also a powerful club in Europe with no less than 1 time lifting the UEFA Champions League title. Throughout its history, Bayern has been home to many famous football stars. In this article, let’s take a look at the top 12 Bayern Munich best players of all time with Kingsoccertips admin.

Bayern Munich best players of all time – Top 12

1. Franz Beckenbauer (1964 – 1977)

Franz Beckenbauer is a legendary player of German football in particular and the world in general. He is one of the best defenders of all time, with great playing, mental leadership, and tactical creativity. He was a mainstay of Bayern Munich players and the German team in the 60s and 70s as he helped them win many important trophies.

He is also the only person in football history to have won the World Cup both as a player and coach. In 1977, after retiring from international football with a record 104 caps, Beckenbauer accepted an offer to play alongside Pele at the New York Cosmos in the fledgling North American Soccer League.

2. Gerd Müller (1964 – 1979)

Gerd Müller is one of the best goalscoring strikers of all time. He was nicknamed the “King of Bombs” because of his terrible goalscoring ability. G. Müller scored 566 goals in 607 matches and is one of Bayern Munich’s most prominent players. He helped Bayern Munich to the European Championship three times in a row from 1974 to 1976.

Muller won the European Ballon d’Or in 1970. Without him, Bayern would not be the beloved team they are today. While playing for Bayern Munich between 1964 and 1979, Gerd Muller played 607 matches and scored 566 goals. He became a legend of the team by reaping countless titles.

3. Oliver Kahn (1994 – 2008) – Bayern Munich best players

Oliver Kahn, who is known as the “Der Titan” (The Prophet), experienced a challenging and decisive childhood, laying the foundations for a great football career. O. Kahn’s club career has been a challenging and successful one, proving his talent and patience in football. After starting his career at Karlsruher SC, Kahn moved to Bayern Munich in 1994, where he became the team’s number one legend.

Kahn stayed with Bayern Munich for 14 seasons, becoming an icon of the team. He helped Bayern win 8 Bundesliga titles and 6 DFB-Pokal Cups. His career peaked when the team won the UEFA Champions League in 2001, after overcoming strong rivals such as Juventus and Manchester United.

4. Klaus Augenthaler (1976 – 1991)

Klaus Augenthaler is one of the talented Bayern Munich players. He can play in many positions on the offensive line. In addition, he was one of the most important Bayern Munich players in the 80s, scoring 217 goals in 422 games for the club. Rummenigge was also instrumental in helping Germany win the Euros in 1980 and World Cup runners-up in 1982 and 1986.

Augenthaler played as a central defender, and later as a libero. He won the Bundesliga 7 times and the German Cup 3 times with Bayern Munich. In the European Cup (predecessor of the Champions League), he finished runners-up in 1982, after Bayern Munich lost 0 – 1 to Aston Villa in the final. In the 1987 final, he was absent due to suspension, and again failed when Bayern lost 2 – 1 to FC Porto.

5. Philipp Lahm (2002 – 2017)

Philipp Lahm is a edge defender capable of playing on both wings. He is one of Bayern Munich’s most impressive players. He has been with the club since childhood, from 1995 to 2017. In particular, he won 8 German league titles, six German cups and one European Cup with the club. He also led Germany to win the World Cup in 2014.

Throughout his playing career, Phillip Lahm has never received a red card – a phenomenon that is difficult to explain especially for a player playing in a defensive position. Besides Raul Gonzalez, Damien Duff, Gary Lineker or Ryan Giggs, Phillip Lahm has always received a lot of admiration from the professional and media for his absolute fair-play. However, that does not mean that there is a “gentle” Phillip Lahm on the pitch.

6. Bastian Schweinsteiger (1998 – 2015) – Bayern Munich best players

Growing up from FC Bayern’s youth training center, Bastian Schweinsteiger spent 17 years with FC Bayern (1998 – 2015). During his time with FC Bayern, Schweinsteiger has won the highest titles at club level with FC Bayern, including the “treble” achievement in 2013.

In tribute to Bastian Schweinsteiger’s contributions to Bayern Munich, the club’s management decided to hold a tribute match for Bastian Schweinsteiger between Bayern Munich and his current club Chicago Fire. In addition to being named a FC Bayern legend, Schweinsteiger was also inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame.

7. Lothar Matthäus (1984 – 1988, 1992 – 2000)

Lothar Matthäus is an all-round central midfielder, capable of defending, attacking and launching balls. He was one of the Bayern Munich players with the longest career, from 1984 to 1990 and from 1992 to 2000. Matthäus won seven German league titles, three German cups, and one UEFA Cup with the club.

In particular, this legend is also the one who led Germany to win the World Cup in 1990 and the runner-up of the Euro in 1992. If the legendary Gerd Muller was later succeeded by Jurgen Klinsmann, Miroslav Klose and Thomas Muller, for “Emperor” Franz Beckenbauer only one person could succeed to the throne, and that was Lothar Matthaus. And that throne remained open after Lothar’s time.

8. Thomas Müller (2009 – Present) – Bayern Munich best players

Striker Thomas Müller joined the club at the age of 10 from TSV Pähl, going through the youth levels and making his first-team debut in 2008. FC Bayern has officially extended Thomas Müller’s contract for one season until June 30, 2025.

Herbert Hainer, President of FC Bayern said: “Thomas Müller belongs to FC Bayern just like the Frauenkirche Cathedral is the symbol of Munich. He was born right here in the city, grew up at this club and became a legend while he was playing. Few players get there. Müller’s career is full of records that have been written into the history of football. There will never be a player like Thomas Müller again.”

9. Arjen Robben (2009 – 2019)

Arjen Robben has become a contemporary legend of 21st century football, and when it comes to Robben, the essence of a winger is converged inside this man with crystal fragile legs. Robben is a native of the northeastern Netherlands, born and raised in the beautiful town of Bedum on the outskirts of Groningen. From a young age, Arjen Robben showed his outstanding playing qualities.

On 28 August 2009, Arjen Robben completed his medical procedures and officially became a Bayern Munich man. Every time Robben had the ball on the right wing, defenders tried to squeeze Robben’s left so he couldn’t steer the ball. But then every attempt succeeded and the Dutch midfielder’s pace was terrifying. Of course, the final scene of the script mostly ends with the net picking up the ball after a wonderful curveball.

10. Robert Lewandowski (2014 – 2022)

Lewandowski is a man of professional self-respect, at least with the great achievements he achieved with Bayern from 2014 until the end of his contract. Over the years, the Polish striker has always been the most prominent and deserves the title of one of the best strikers in Bayern Munich history in particular or German football in general.

They got to know each other well during Lewandowski’s 8 years at the Allianz-Arena. 344 goals in 375 matches in all competitions, with Bayern dominating the Bundesliga, crowned in the Champions League, having the title of FIFA Player of the Year, having “enough pairs” of the European Golden Boot and many other titles and awards. That’s enough to see where Lewandowski is at Bayern. So, if he gets a warm welcome as he strides down the Allianz-Arena grass, it wouldn’t be a surprise.

11. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1974 – 1984) – Bayern Munich best players

Born and raised in German football, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge always wanted to assert himself in big teams, including the Bavarian Grey Lobster. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge joined Bayern Munich as an 18 year old in 1974. He was discovered and invited to join the club’s academy after playing for the native city club, aged 16.

He became one of the most promising young players and quickly achieved great success in his career. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge played for Bayern Munich for 10 years (1974 – 1984) and became one of the best players in the club’s history. As a promising young player, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge began to make his mark and prove his potential in his early years of play. He then continued to develop and became one of the leading players of the 1970s and 1980s, not only at Bayern Munich but also in the German national team.

12. Manuel Neuer (2011 – Present)

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has officially signed a contract extension with Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for another 1 year (until June 30, 2024). The German No. 1 goalkeeper’s previous contract with the Bavarian Grey Lobsters expires in 2023. “I am very pleased that my journey continues at FC Bayern”, Manuel Neuer said after extending his contract.

Manuel Neuer joined Bayern Munich from Schalke in 2011. After 11 years, he has won 10 Bundesliga titles, 5 DFB Cups, 6 Super Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Neuer made 472 appearances in all competitions for Bayern, keeping 226 clean sheets. He has conceded just 370 goals, including 37 in the Bundesliga this season.

Conclude

The 23/24 Bundesliga season is relatively difficult for Bayern Munich. The defending champions are increasingly widened by Bayer Leverkusen in the race for the crown. Kane or Musiala are on their way to carrying the Bayern team back to where they were. After all, Bayern is still the top team and these 12 Bayern Munich best players are the ones who contributed greatly to the club’s heroic history.

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