Bayern Munich's top 5 youngsters to watch in 2024/25
From Franz Beckenbauer and Bastian Schweinsteiger to Thomas Müller and Jamal Musiala, Bayern Munich have given countless superstars their first steps in professional football. bundesliga.com profiles five upstarts hopeful of following in those illustrious footsteps...
So who are the stars of the Bayern teams of tomorrow? Let's find out...
Wisdom Mike
Age: 16 (born 24 September 2008)
Position: Winger
Nation: Germany, Nigeria
There’s been a growing buzz around Mike ever since Vincent Kompany named the 16-year-old on his bench against Werder Bremen on Matchday 21. The young forward earned his place alongside the likes of Thomas Müller and Leon Goretzka after impressing in first-team training – having being invited to muck in with the seniors in late January. Kompany insisted Mike’s inclusion in his squad to face Bremen was no gimmick. “He’s obviously still very young, so we don’t want to talk him up too much,” said the Belgian. “He has that ability one-against-one, speed. He’s a player from our youth ranks and earned this first chance. But he’s still got a long way to go. We’ll keep supporting him.”
Mike’s promotion was rewarded for his electric form across various youth levels this term. He has 14 goals and six assists in 14 games across all competitions for Bayern's U17 team, as well as three goals and an assist for Bayern's U19 team. The winger, who’s been capped across various age levels for Germany and is also eligible for Nigeria, has drawn comparisons to former Borussia Dortmund star Ousmane Dembele, thanks to his explosive pace and ability to glide past defenders.
Max Schmitt
Age: 19 (born 18 January 2006)
Position: Goalkeeper
Nation: Germany
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With Manuel Neuer, 38, in the twilight years of a sensational career, Bayern will no doubt have half an eye on the future. When the club captain does eventually retire, it could be that Bayern opt to bring in another superstar goalkeeper, though there is a promising alternative making a name for himself in their academy. Max Schmitt, 19, is already being earmarked as a future Germany regular after helping the U17s to UEFA Euros and FIFA World Cup glory in 2023. After a stalemate in the final of the former sent the showpiece to penalties, Schmitt saved France's fifth and final spot-kick - which would have seen the French win the title had they converted it - to turn the shootout on its head as Germany claimed victory in sudden-death.
The 6'2" custodian has made 14 appearances for Bayern II in Germany’s fourth-tier this campaign, conceding 17 and keeping four clean sheets. Participating in training sessions with Bayern’s first team goalkeepers has given him a chance to learn from the man he would love to replace at the Allianz Arena someday. “I’ve been a Bayern fan since I was a child and have admired Manuel Neuer ever since,” he’s said. “We talk to each other a lot in training. He gives me lots of tips. It’s a privilege.”
Tarek Buchmann
Age: 19 (born 28 February 2005)
Position: Defender
Nation: Germany
Since swapping Augsburg’s academy for Bayern’s in 2019, Buchmann’s development has been rapid. The elegant centre-back was catapulted up through the age groups and even captained the U17s before joining Julian Nagelsmann’s first team winter training camp in 2022. There, Buchmann received a first taste of senior football for Bayern in a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg. Replacing Alphonso Davies, he capped his first showing by providing an assist for Arijon Ibrahimovic in the 4-4 draw.
The recipient of a bronze Fritz Walter Medal in 2002, Buchmann has unfortunately suffered a series of serious injuries in his fledgling career, not least a 17-month lay off between September 2023 and January 2025. Back training, and under former defender Kompany no-less, has been a huge boost. “It obviously helps when the coach played in the same position,” he recently said. “He’s very communicative and tries to help all of us. It’s a lot of fun training under him.”
Jonah Kusi-Asare
Age: 17 (born 4 July 2007)
Position: Forward
Nation: Sweden, Ghana
Kusi-Asare is considered one of the brightest youngsters in Bayern’s academy, having already become a regular this season for the reserves. The striker has one goal and two assists in seven Regionalliga appearances, as well as two in this season’s UEFA Youth League. Tall, slim, quick and a great finisher, it’s no wonder Kusi-Asare has drawn comparisons with compatriot Alexander Isak, who enjoyed his own stint in German football with Borussia Dortmund earlier in his career.
He still doesn’t turn 18 until the summer, but Kusi-Asare is being tipped to make a first-team impact sooner rather than later. As proven by the young forward earning a spot on the bench twice for Bundesliga fixtures this season, against Heidenheim and Mainz across Matchdays 13 and 14, respectively.
Jonathan Asp-Jensen
Age: 19 (born 14 January 2006)
Position: Midfield
Country: Denmark
Another of the Bayern II stars already, the Danish attacking midfielder has 10 goal involvements (six goals, four assists) in as many appearances this season, with one more assist to his name in the UEFA Youth League. Lured from Midtjylland’s academy in 2022, the rangy creator – capped three times by Denmark U18s – has already made one, albeit very brief, appearance for the Bayern first team. He played the final minute of the 2-0 Bundesliga win over Wolfsburg last May and he's believed to be on Kompany’s radar for another senior appearance in the near future.
Not that the reserves are in a rush to lose their talisman. Jochen Sauer, the director of the FC Bayern Campus, described Asp-Jensen as “one of the very best players in the team”. Sauer was thrilled when the playmaker signed fresh terms in September to remain at Bayern until 2028. “We're convinced of his footballing potential and his big talent and are extremely happy that he has decided to stay with us for the next few years,” he said.
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