Ultimate Bayern Munich dream team: Muller, Lewandowski & Robben but no Kahn or Breitner

Bayern Munich have been represented by some of the greatest players in history, but who makes it into our ultimate dream team?

Bayern Munich are not just the dominant force in the Bundesliga with 32 German league titles apart, but they are one of the most successful clubs in Europe as well, having won the Champions League (or European Cup before 1992) six times.

As is to be expected at a European powerhouse like Bayern, numerous superstars have worn the FCB jersey over the years.

This includes legends from the glorious 1970s such as Gerd MUller or Franz Beckenbauer, but also modern-day greats like Philip Lahm and Thomas Muller to name just a few.

But who will make it into the club's ultimate dream team?!

Getty ImagesGK: Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer found his way to Munich in 2011 under controversial circumstances. The Schalke youth product turned his back on the club of his heart to move to Bayern, something that didn't endear him to the Schalke faithful.

In terms of sporting reasons, however, it was exactly the right step. Neuer has been guarding the Bayern goal for 11 years now and has won the Bundesliga 10 times and the Champions League twice.

After Philipp Lahm's retirement, he also took over the captain's armband and thus joined a long list of great Bayern captains.

But even before Neuer there were some great keepers in the club's history like Sepp Maier and Oliver Kahn. They drew the short straw when it came to picking the ultimate Bayern Munich goalkeeper, though.

In many ways, Neuer redefined the role of a sweeper-keeper and modernised the way goalkeepers were involved in how a team plays.

And that is why he makes it into this team ahead of two stellar keepers.

Advertisementimago imagesDEF: Lothar Matthaus

Matthaus is arguably one of the greatest footballers of all time and spent a total of twelve years at Bayern, divided into two stints.

In 1984, he moved from Borussia Monchengladbach to Munich to aid the Bavarians' chase of their first domestic title since 1981.

Four years late, he moved on to Serie A, which was one of the best leagues in Europe at the time and attracted the best players. Matthaus was a huge success at Inter and even won the Ballon d'Or.

In 1992, he returned to Munich and won the 1996 UEFA Cup, but he was dramatically denied a Champions League winners medal in 1999 by Manchester United's miracle act in injury time.

imago imagesDEF: Franz Beckenbauer

The name Franz Beckenbauer inspired awe during his time. In fact, it still does.

The history of Bayern would have been very different if not for him. From 1959 to 1977, the "Kaiser" was an integral part of their squad and helped bring the club to the pinnacle of European football.

Beckenbauer led Bayern to European Cup victory three times in a row – from 1974 to 1976 and has four European Cup winners medals in total with Bayern.

He was one of the greatest defenders the sport has seen, playing as a libero who would also contribute in attack.

Later he shaped the club's future as president.

Beckenbauer rightly stands as one of the best footballers the game has ever seen.

Getty ImagesDEF: David Alaba

The last cog in our ultimate dream team's three-man backline is a player who had a key role in the club's sucessful phase in recent times.

David Alaba has won the hearts of fans over the years and won numerous titles in a Bayern shirt.

A few weeks after his 16th birthday, Alaba moved to Munich from his youth club Austria Wien and after a six-month loan to Hoffenheim, he became a permanent fixture at Bayern.

His record in the red jersey: an incredible 28 titles. He served the club in an exemplary fashion, as a left-back, central midfielder and as a centre-back.

Though his move to Real Madrid in 2021 was not very popular with the fanbase, he makes it into our list ahead of Jerome Boateng among others.