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Bayern Munich is undoubtedly the strongest and the most successful team in Bundesliga. The Bavarians have been ruling the German league since the beginning of time. Bayern Munich have won the most number of Bundesliga titles (31). That is 22 titles more than the second-placed FC Nürnberg.
Bayern's success is the result of multiple elements. The club has always had the best of the coaching staff and players from Germany, if not Europe. The best players from the Bundesliga joining Bayern Munich have now become a tradition within the German league.
Over the course of years, Bayern Munich have recruited the best players within the domestic league. The same can be labeled as a smart strategy to eliminate competition. However, it also works in the favor of the players as they cannot ask for a better club to establish their careers.
Bayern Munich have housed some of the best players in the world. In this article, let's take a look at:
Top players Bayern Munich could not replace
#5 Toni Kroos (2007-2014)
Dubbed 'The Sniper' and the 'Waiter', Toni Kroos is revered as one of the most talented playmakers in the history of the sport. Apart from his pinpoint accurate passes, Kroos is also known for his lethal long-rangers.
Toni Kroos joined Bayern Munich's youth setup in 2006. The Greifwald-native earned promotion soon enough and cemented his place at the heart of midfield. Over the course of years, Kroos became an integral part of Bayern Munich's midfield unit and thrived under each manager.
His fame got him under the scope of Real Madrid scouts. After securing La Decima, Los Blancos made a swap deal that included Xabi Alonso going the other way. Even though Real Madrid could successfully fill Alonso's void with Kroos, the same can't be said about Bayern Munich.
The German champs are still on the hunt for another Toni Kroos.
#4 Owen Hargreaves (2000-2007)
It is not a common phenomenon for English players to leave their mark outside the Premier League. However, the former Bayern Munich midfielder is one of the few to have achieved that feat.
Hargreaves is one of only two English players to have won the UEFA Champions League with a non-English club. He played a pivotal role in his first season itself to help the Bavarians secure their Champions League and Bundesliga titles.
A box-to-box midfielder, Owen Hargreaves' creativity and selfless play is missed within the legions of Bayern Munich even today.
#3 Bastian Schweinsteiger (2002-2015)
Bastian Schweinsteiger is considered not just one of the finest players in the history of Bayern Munich but that of Bundesliga and Germany as well. There cannot be an argument regarding Schweinsteiger's contribution to the club and country.
After joining the club's youth side in 1998, Bastian Schweinsteiger ascended through the ranks to establish himself as a strong presence in the senior team. His initial days at the club made him infamous for being ill-tempered. However, as the years passed, Schweinsteiger's game and maturity only saw an upward rise.
The German midfielder's versatility is tough to emulate as he was one of the few who could grace any role bestowed upon him. After a lengthy career with the Bavarians, Bastian Schweinsteiger left for Manchester United in 2015.
He had become an irreplaceable element within the Bavarian club and there's no doubt that the club misses him to date.
#2 Franck Ribery (2007-2019)
There is no need to discuss the legacy left behind by arguably the most beloved foreign player of Bayern Munich. Franck Ribery made a name for himself during his Ligue 1 days and subsequently made his way into Germany's top-tier.
Ribery grew to be not just an influential player for the Bavarians but also for the star-studded French national team. Ribery's importance saw him cement his position at the Allianz Arena for 12-long seasons and 425 games (across all competitions).
Despite being a prolific winger, the Frenchman often found joy in chance creation rather than goal scoring. The club has made several attempts to find a replacement for this fine talent, however, that void is yet to be filled.
#1 Philipp Lahm (2002-2017)
Philipp Lahm's name and fame go far beyond his Bayern Munich career. Lahm's composure, charisma and character are second to none. After his retirement from football in 2017, Bayern Munich didn't just lose a phenomenal player but also a strong leader.
The Bayern Munich Hall of Fame inductee has won eight Bundesliga titles and the Champions League during his tenure with the club. Lahm also has another unusual record under his belt that is nearly impossible for any defender to achieve. Philipp Lahm has never seen a red-card in his life!
Even though the Bavarians boast a formidable squad at the moment with talented players, it remains a question whether they will ever yield a player like Philipp Lahm again.
