Bayern Munich's top 5 youngsters to watch in 2025/26
Franz Beckenbauer, Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala are just a handful of the hot prospects turned stars at Bayern Munich down the years. bundesliga.com checks out some of the latest first-team candidates hoping to follow in those acclaimed footsteps...
Wisdom Mike
Age: 16 (born 24 September 2008)
Position: Winger
Country: Germany, Nigeria
Wisdom Mike has been the name on the lips of all Bayern fans ever since he was named in his first matchday squad back in February for the game against Werder Bremen. Although he didn’t feature, his place amongst the stars of the first team was well-warranted, given Mike’s outstanding performances at youth level this season. In 20 games across all competitions for Bayern's U17 and U19 teams, the 16-year-old has 18 goals and seven assists to his name.
Speaking in the aftermath of the Bremen game, head coach Vincent Kompany spoke very highly of the youngster. “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.”
Unfortunately for Mike, his inclusion in the first team was curtailed the following week by an injury that he is only just recovering from. There is hope amongst the Bayern fans that he could yet still feature at the tail-end of 2024/25, or, at the very latest, during the FIFA Club World Cup in the summer.
Jonah Kusi-Asare
Age: 17 (born 4 July 2007)
Position: Forward
Country: Sweden, Ghana
Jonah Kusi-Asare is the latest Bayern academy graduate to make his debut for the Bavarian giants, having come off the bench in the 88th minute in the 3-0 win against Mainz on Matchday 31.
The Swedish youngster joined Bayern in February 2024 from AIK in Sweden, the club where he made his professional debut just one month and 24 days after turning 16. He's since made a number of Regionalliga appearances for the reserves and has also become a regular for the club’s UEFA Youth League side.
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Given his nationality and his tall, slim build, it is little surprise that the youngster is already being compared to fellow countryman Aleksander Isak. On his Sweden U17s debut, Kusi-Asare scored a hat-trick against Moldova.
Expect to see the youngster continue to make matchday squads next season, especially if Bayern don’t sign a back-up striker for Harry Kane.
Age: 18 (born 2 June 2006)
Position: Left-back/left-winger
Country: Morocco, Spain
Adam Aznou is another player to have already made the step up to Bayern’s first team, having appeared twice this season already before moving on loan to Real Valladolid in February. Since moving back to Spain, the former Barcelona academy man has been racking up top-flight minutes that can only aid his development.
With Alphonso Davies suffering a serious injury whilst on international duty in March, Aznou will be optimistic about receiving increased minutes for Bayern next season. Speaking after Aznou’s debut in December, Kompany seemed confident of Aznou’s ability to have an impact on the first team.
"Adam has done very well. In training, but also with the national team. And now, of course, it feels like we have an extra player to count on. He's young, he can be proud, his parents can be proud."
Age: 19 (born 11 August 2005)
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Germany
This summer marks the end of an era for Bayern and Müller, but that could yet prove an opportunity for many of the club’s budding young talents. One of those, is Maurice Krattenmacher. The 19-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder and this season has been showcasing his talents whilst out on loan at second division side Ulm.
Krattenmacher - signed from nearby Unterhaching in summer 2024 - has been a mainstay in the Ulm first team, playing all but one of the club’s league games. In that time, he has scored three goals and registered four assists.
Age: 17 (born 22 February 2008)
Position: Forward
Country: Germany
Although Lennart Karl is yet to make his first-team debut, it feels only a matter of time given his phenomenal appearances for Bayern’s youth teams this season. So far this season, the 17-year-old has an incredible 42 goal contributions to his name in just 27 appearances.
Karl has already been part of several Bayern senior squads this season, including for both UEFA Champions League quarter-final games against Inter Milan and his game has drawn comparisons with Arjen Robben.
Related news
Who is Jonah Kusi-Asare?
bundesliga.com has the lowdown on the Swedish super talent at Bayern who made his Bundesliga debut on Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 season.
Who is Lennart Karl?
A wonderkid who went viral at age 10 for an astonishing goal, learn more about the latest youngster on the verge of breaking into the Bayern team.
5 Bayern youngsters to watch in 2024/25
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