Who are the best Bayern Munich players of all time? One of the most iconic football clubs in the world, the German giants have had some of the greatest players ever.
Best Bayern Munich Players
A club that is undisputed the greatest in German history, we take a look at the 10 best Bayern Munich players of all time.
10. Arjen Robben
With his pace, dribbling skills and ball control, Arjen Robben helped transition Bayern Munich into the modern era of speedy wingers. His iconic left-footed cuts from the right wing became his trademark move during his 10-year career in Munich.
Robben won 20 trophies while at Bayern Munich including eight Bundesliga titles. He scored 143 goals in 309 appearances, none more important than the 2013 Champions League Final winner which cemented his legendary status at Bayern.
9. Philipp Lahm
Phillip Lahm is one of the greatest fullbacks in football history and his versatility made him one of Bayern Munich’s biggest assets as he was able to play in midfield as well as on both sides of the pitch.
Midway through the 2010-11 season Lahm became Bayern Munich captain. A true leader, he led the club to a historic treble in 2013 including a Champions League win. He also won eight Bundesliga titles and was never red carded in his entire career.
8. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Midfield maestro Bastian Schweinsteiger is one of the best Bayern Munich players in history. He spent 17 seasons at the club after coming through the youth academy and he played in 500 matches across all competitions, scoring 68 goals.
Schweinsteiger played with an incredible work rate and he controlled the midfield with his excellent passing, strength, skills, and an incredible shot from range. He won eight Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal seven times and the Champions League in 2013.
7. Sepp Maier
Across an 18-year career with Bayern Munich, Sepp Maier played a key role in 473 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich including an incredible 442 consecutive games, a Bundesliga record.
Maier was able to dominate the box and he kept 137 clean sheets thanks to his speed, agility and his reflexes. A remarkably consistent goalkeeper, he’s seventh on our list of best Bayern Munich players ever.
6. Lothar Matthäus
Lothar Matthäus was intelligence and versatility personified. He excelled either as a box-to-box midfielder, as a deep-lying playmaker or even as a sweeper. He was so technically gifted he could score no matter where he played.
Matthäus never won the Champions League but in 12 seasons with Bayern Munich he scored an impressive 121 goals from 464 games. In 1990 he also earned himself the Ballon d’or while at Inter Milan.
5. Oliver Kahn
Oliver Kahn was one of the most commanding presences in football history, playing with an aggressive style combined with great mental strength, excellent reflexes, agility and technique. He won eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB-Pokals and the Champions League in 2001.
Kahn played 557 games in the Bundesliga with 429 of those at Bayern Munich. One of the greatest ever goalkeepers, he kept a-then record 204 clean sheets before Manuel Neuer overtook him in 2001.
4. Manuel Neuer
Considered by many to be the greatest keeper of all time, Manuel Neuer is credited with revolutionising the modern day goalkeeper and is the definition of a sweeper-keeper. Tall, physically strong and athletic, he’s known for his composure and ability to adapt to any in-game situation.
Neuer has always had complete command over his area and beyond, as he’s able to read the game and anticipate opposition plays by rushing off his line. He’s won the Bundesliga eleven times and the Champions League twice with Bayern Munich.
3. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is one of Bayern Munich’s greatest ever players. Strong with both feet, he was physically imposing and was versatile, able to play both through the middle or out wide.
With his pace, dribbling and heading skills he could score from both close and long range. Rummenigge helped the club earn back-to-back European Cup wins in 1983 and 1984, won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal twice, and was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981.
2. Gerd Müller
Gerd Müller was a predator in front of goal. He was a clinical finisher, especially from close range, and he had a natural instinct for the game, able to score with his left and right feet as well as with his head.
Muller was a four-time Bundesliga champion and he won the European Cup three times. In 607 games for Bayern Munich Muller scored 566 goals. One of football’s greatest goalscorers, he won the Ballon d’Or in 1970
1. Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer is the best Bayern Munich player in history and one of the greatest defenders of all time. He dominated in defence and he helped Bayern to four Bundesliga championships and three consecutive European Cup victories from 1974 to 1976.
Beckenbauer started out as a midfielder before making his name as a central defender, credited with popularising the modern sweeper role. So versatile was Beckenbauer he scored 57 goals in 535 games for Bayern Munich and he’s the only defender in history to win the Ballon d’Or twice.
