Bayern Munich’s top 15 German internationals of all time
Numbers 10 to 6
10. Paul Breitner
If it wasn’t for a certain Bayern Munich legend later down this list, Paul Breitner would be remembered as the greatest German full-back to ever play the game. Part defender, part midfielder, Breitner was an important part of the legendary Bayern Munich and West Germany sides that dominated Europe in the early 1970s.
After helping his nation win the 1972 European championship and earning a spot in the team of the tournament while doing so, he repeated the feat in the 1974 World Cup, this time scoring the opening goal in the final against a Johan Cruyff-led Netherlands. Breitner once again scored in a World Cup final eight years later, netting his nation’s only goal in a 3-1 loss to Italy. This makes him one of only four players to have scored in two World Cup finals, the others being legends Pele, Vava and Zinedine Zidane.
Breitner’s off-field activities made him a divisive figure among fans, but his talent on the pitch was undeniable. That he’s ranked so low on this list simply serves as testament to the impressive corps of German internationals to have played for Bayern Munich.
9. Thomas Muller
Winner of the Golden Boot and Best Young Player award in his first ever major tournament with Germany — the 2010 World Cup in South Africa — and both the Silver Boot and Silver Ball four years later in his nation’s total victory in Brazil, Thomas Muller has already established himself as one of the World Cup greats, and he’s still just 28-years-old!
Though he’s been excellent for Bayern Munich throughout his career, Muller has always truly shone with the German national team. Not a natural winger by any means, he nevertheless plays a key part in his nation’s success as a right-sided attacking midfielder in Joachim Low’s system.
The raumdeuter (Muller’s self-given nickname that literally means “interpreter of space”) has played an impressive 90 matches for the Nationalelf. He’s scored 38 goals in the process, putting himself at Germany’s ninth best goalscorer of all time. It’d be no surprise for him to earn a spot in the top five — even the top three — by the end of his career.
With five goals in both of his World Cup appearances, Muller is already only six off Miroslav Klose’s all-time record of 16 with half as many tournaments under his belt. It would be no surprise for the Bavarian to make the record his own either this summer in Russia or in Qatar in 2022.
8. Oliver Kahn
Der Titan. A player remembered for his fierce confidence and expressive nature between the sticks, Oli Kahn is undoubtedly a Bayern Munich legend. His pure goalkeeping skills were absolutely sublime, but it’s his composure, leadership and immense presence on the pitch that set him apart.
The only major trophy Kahn ever won with his national side was the 1996 European Champonship, though he didn’t even feature for Germany in the tournament. His real highlight on the international stage came six years later. His exceptional displays in goal for Germany at the 2002 World Cup not only led his country to the final, but also earned him the Golden Ball for the entire tournament, making him the only goalkeeper to achieve such a feat.
He allowed three shots to pass him throughout the entire tournament; two of those came in the final. Even though he played the match with a torn ligament in his right ring finger, Kahn refused to use the injury as an excuse for his mistake that led to Brazil’s opening goal: just one example of the outstanding leadership and character Kahn exemplified throughout his career.
7. Sepp Maier
The original great Bayern Munich and Germany goalkeeper is none other than the “Cat from Anzing,” Sepp Maier. A Munich boy through and through, Maier spent his entire career playing for die Roten. It wasn’t easy making the decision between him and Kahn, but Maier gets the nod on basis of having a more successful career on the international stage.
Maier holds a reputation for being a joker both on and off the pitch — he once chased a duck around the pitch while a match was still being played — and for being the first player to don the now-commonplace oversized goalkeeper gloves.
His most astonishing record is the 442 consecutive Bundesliga matches he played with Bayern Munich between 1966-1979. His exploits with the Nationalelf were not to be overshadowed, though. Maier played an impressive 95 matches for West Germany, starring alongside legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner and Gerd Muller. With that iconic team, Sepp Maier won a World Cup (and finished runner-up) and European Championship.
6. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Few players approach the game with the same passion and intensity Bastian Schweinsteiger did every time he donned a Bayern Munich or Germany trikot. In a generation of world-class midfielders (such as Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Andrea Pirlo, etc.), Basti stood out for club and country as a fiery leader in the center of the park.
Schweinsteiger burst onto the international scene in the 2006 World Cup. At only 22-years-old, the Bayern youth product played a big role for his nation in their push for a third-placed finish in the tournament. By far his most impressive and memorable performance on the international stage, though, came in the 2014 World Cup final.
Schweini gave it all against Argentina, leaving blood, sweat and tears (literally) on the pitch and ultimately driving his team to a hard-earned victory. The image of a battered Bastian Schweinsteiger crying in jubilation after the final whistle blew is one I will never forget.
The Fussballgot retired from international play shortly after Euro 2016, ending his career as Germany’s fourth most-capped player ever with 121 international matches under his belt. Bastian Schweinsteiger is a true legend of the modern game.