# 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.

*By YPB Team · Published May 28, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-midfielder-in-bayern-munich-history*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

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.

Tags: germany, football, players, legends, bundesliga, all-time, midfielders