Several world goalkeepers, a world soccer player and great ball artists – FC Bayern has had quite a few legendary players since the year 2000. SPOX shows you the legendary team of FCB since the turn of the millennium.
FC Bayern is one of the most successful clubs in the history of European football. And even in this century there have hardly been more successful clubs at national and international level than Munich.
SPOX looks back at the biggest games that have worn the red and white jersey since 2000.
TOR: Oliver Kahn
14 years, 429 games, 23 titles – The “Titan” was an integral part of the Munich goal from 1994 to 2008. Kahn had also developed into a cult figure off the pitch. His crowning achievement came in 2001 when he saved three penalties against Valencia in the final of the Champions League and brought the pot back to Bavaria after 25 years.
In 2022 he then took over the post of CEO of FC Bayern AG and succeeded Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
DEFENSE: Willy Sagnol
In nine years, the right-back played 277 games on the Isar and won a total of eleven titles. At the end of his time in Munich, a cruciate ligament rupture slowed him down.
Later returned to FCB as an assistant coach and after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked in 2017 he played one game as interim coach.
Samuel Kuffour
The friend of “red and white jerseys” is one of the best African Bundesliga players in history. In addition to the Champions League in 2001, “Sammy” won 13 other titles with FCB.
It was he who scored the winning goal in extra time against Boca Juniors to win the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo 2001.
Jerome Boateng
Bayern brought Boateng from Man City in 2011. At FCB he matured into one of the best central defenders in the world and was an important pillar in both triple successes in 2013 and 2020.
War one of the best players in the 2013 CL final against Dortmund hit the long ball from midfield to Ribéry in the penalty area, who then set up Arjen Robben’s winning goal. Also one of the best in Germany in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.
Now signed to Olympique Lyon.
David Alaba
The Austrian has played for Bayern since he was 16. Alaba moved from left-back to center. Like Boateng, he also won the treble twice with FCB.
Now plays for Real Madrid.
MIDDLE FIELD: Philipp Lahm
Whether in the middle, back left or back right: Lahm showed outstanding performances everywhere. He was on the field 332 times for Bayern between 2005 and 2017 and won 21 titles during this time.
Was the team’s captain in 2013 and also the 2014 World Cup XI and is one of the smartest players he’s ever coached, according to coach Pep Guardiola.
Bastian Schweinsteiger
Only under Louis van Gaal did “Schweini” become the undisputed regular player for the record champions. On the six he led Bayern as a leader to the highest heights.
Was the driver par excellence in midfield and crowned his Bayern time with the CL triumph in 2013. The fighter was also one of the heroes of Rio at the German World Cup title in 2014.
Then played for Manchester United and Chicago Fire. Today he is a TV expert on the first.
Arjen Robben
Robben was the tragic hero in the dahoam final in 2012 with a missed penalty and was even whistled at later. A year later, however, he shot Bayern to the CL title at Wembley in 2013 and became Mr. Wembley.
The winger scored numerous important and spectacular goals for Bayern until 2019. He then tried his hand at home with FC Groningen before finally ending his career with a short break in 2021.
Thomas Müller
Like Alaba & Co., the original Bavarian won the triple twice with the club. Was never the outstanding scorer, but a real assist machine.
“Müller always plays” was Louis van Gaal’s motto, which many coaches after him mostly followed. Still an important part of the record champions today.
Franck Ribery
Like Robben, a true Bayern legend. Won the treble in 2013 and also stayed in Munich until 2019. The fan favorite who always drew attention to himself with his jokes.
Like his congenial partner on the other wing, he always stood for spectacle, playfulness and spectacular goals.
Also left Munich in 2019 and then played for FIorentina and Salernitana in Italy until 2022.
ATTACK: Robert Lewandowski
The Pole played for FC Bayern from 2014 to 2022 and won everything that is possible. He was voted Europe’s Footballer of the Year in 2020 and twice FIFA World Player of the Year.
What’s more, he broke Gerd Müller’s almost 50-year-old record when he scored 41 Bundesliga goals in 2021. Only Müller (365) has scored more goals than Lewandowski (312) in Bundesliga history.
Moved to FC Barcelona in 2022.
COACH: Jupp Heynckes
Bayern brought him back from early retirement in 2009. Between 2011 and 2013 he took over Bayern again and led them to the treble. In 2017 he jumped in again until the end of the season and became champion again.
lineup
FC Bayern’s legendary team has been formed in a classic 4-2-3-1 system since 2000. This is followed by the Honorable Mentions.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Pep Guardiola
The coach from 2013 to 2016. After the treble in 2013, he brought Bayern to top performance again – only without success in the Champions League.
Bayern have never acted as flexibly as they did under Guardiola. Has coached Manchester City since 2016 and has dominated the Premier League ever since, but he’s still waiting for another Champions League title after his two at Barcelona (2009, 2011).
Manuel Neuer
Neuer has been guarding Bayern’s goal since 2011. His style of play took goalkeeping to another level. He always saved FCB with his saves. Also joins the club of two-time treble winners and world champions.
Since Lahm’s retirement, he has also been captain of FC Bayern and the national team.
Hasan Salihamidzic
“Brazzo” wore Bayern Munich’s kit from 1998 to 2007 and enjoyed a number of successes during this time, including championship and CL victory in 2001. At the time, he distinguished himself with his unbelievable versatility and always played at a high level both offensively and defensively on both wings. Later moved to Juventus and ended his Bundesliga career at VfL Wolfsburg.
Returned to Bayern as sporting director in 2017, and has even been sporting director since July 2020.
Rafinha
The right-back was always there when needed. Between 2011 and 2019 he made 179 appearances for FCB. A large part of the team was present at his farewell PK.
Bixente Lizarazu
Six-time champion, five-time cup winner and one-time Champions League winner – one of the best left-backs in the world around the turn of the millennium won everything there was to win in Munich and also became world and European champion with France.
After a short detour to Olympique Marseille, he returned to the Isar in 2005 because his successor Lahm dropped out with a cruciate ligament tear.
Remained loyal to the club as a representative and also works in France as a TV expert.
Joshua Kimmich
In 2015, Kimmich came to FCB from the second division. Like Lahm, he showed how important he is in different positions. Started out at right-back and has settled into central midfield over the years, where he has been for a number of years.
Won six titles in one year with the Munich team and is also an undisputed member of the national team. Maybe even the next FCB captain after Neuer.
Javi Martinez
Before the triple season in 2013, the Munich team took him from Bilbao for 40 million euros. As a result, Martinez cleared almost everything that came his way.
Scored two key extra-time goals in both 2013 and 2020 UEFA Super Cups against Chelsea and Sevilla – one to force penalties, another to win the title.
After he was only a temporary worker, his contract was not renewed. Played in Qatar for Qatar SC since 2021.
Mehmed Scholl
From 1992 to 2007 the attacking player played for Bayern. During that time he played 334 games, scored 87 goals and won 21 titles. After his active career, he trained the Bayern amateurs, was a TV expert and also worked as a radio DJ.
Claudio Pizarro
The Peruvian striker had two successful periods at FCB: from 2001 to 2007 and from 2012 to 2015. In total he made 224 appearances for Bayern, scoring 87 goals and winning 17 titles.
After retiring, he returned to the club as an ambassador.
Giovanni Elber
The Brazilian celebrated great successes with Bayern. He stayed with the club from 1997 to 2003 before moving on.
Unforgettable his special celebration after special goals. Was instrumental in the 2001 Champions League triumph, scoring key goals in quarter-finals and semi-finals against both Manchester United and Real Madrid.
