Who is the best midfielder in Bayern Munich history?

Bayern's midfield has produced some of world football's most complete players — World Cup winners, Champions League maestros, and technical virtuosos who could both destroy and create. The debate covers different eras, different roles, and multiple generations of German football excellence.

1

Franz Beckenbauer

The Kaiser and arguably the greatest German footballer ever, a sweeper-midfielder who redefined the libero position and won everything with Bayern in the 1970s.

2

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Tireless German midfield engine and club legend who spent 17 years at Bayern, winning the Champions League in 2013 and the World Cup in 2014.

3

Stefan Effenberg

Combative and controversial German midfielder whose leadership and drive were central to Bayern's Champions League triumph in 2001.

4

Franck Ribéry

Mesmerising French winger who dazzled Bundesliga defences for over a decade with his quick feet and direct running, winning eight Bundesliga titles.

5

Arjen Robben

Clinical Dutch winger whose inside-left runs and devastating right-foot shots became legendary, including the Champions League-winning goal in 2013.

6

Paul Breitner

Versatile German international who played both as a left-back and central midfielder across two spells at Bayern and won the World Cup in 1974.

7

Philipp Lahm

Exceptional German full-back who finished his career as a central midfielder, captaining Bayern to the Champions League and Germany to the World Cup with intelligence and composure.

8

Joshua Kimmich

Versatile German international who became Bayern's first-choice defensive midfielder and one of the best midfielders in the world after starting his career as a right-back.

9

Thomas Müller

Intelligent German forward who operates as a deep-lying attacker or second striker with unique positional play, a Champions League winner twice with Bayern.