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.

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.

1/9

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.

2/9

Stefan Effenberg

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

3/9

Franck Ribéry

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

4/9

Arjen Robben

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

5/9

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.

6/9

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.

7/9

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.

8/9

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.

9/9