The Under-21 Bundesliga Team of the Season 2025/26
As ever, the Bundesliga was brimming with top young talent in 2025/26. Here is the best U21 XI of the recently ended season, featuring the likes of Yan Diomande, Saïd El Mala and Luka Vušković...
Note: All players included were aged 21 or under on the opening day of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season
Goalkeeper - Jonas Urbig
Manuel Neuer has become increasingly susceptible to injuries in the twilight of his career, opening the door for a young, up-and-coming goalkeeper to make their mark at Bayern Munich. This season, Urbig has grabbed that opportunity with both hands, impressing during his 14 league appearances between the sticks. He managed six clean sheets overall, including one in each of his first three starts, and has put himself in a strong position to become Neuer's successor when the time comes.
Defender - Finn Jeltsch
Now settled in at VfB Stuttgart following his move from Nuremberg in January 2025, it is easy to forget Jeltsch is just 19, given his impressive performances at the heart of the Swabians' backline. He made 17 Bundesliga starts in 2025/26, with Stuttgart conceding 1.17 goals per game with him in the side compared to 1.7 without. The future is bright for Stuttgart after qualifying for the UEFA Champions League once more, and expect Jeltsch to play an important role in their progress.
Defender - Luka Vušković
One of the shining stars of the campaign, Vušković's contribution to Hamburg's Bundesliga survival must not be underestimated. The Croatia international's impact has been vital at both ends, providing aerial strength and leadership at the back, while also popping up with six goals of his own - including the 2025 Bundesliga Goal of the Year against Werder Bremen. Included in the Bundesliga's official Team of the Season, it is telling that Hamburg lost four and drew one of the five games the Tottenham Hotspur loanee missed.
Defender - Leopold Querfeld
Union Berlin will miss Diogo Leite and Danilho Doekhi next season but, in Querfeld, they have someone more than ready to take over the defensive leadership baton. The Austria international started 30 of Union's 34 Bundesliga games, with only Doekhi winning more than his 333 duels for the Iron Ones - enough for him to end up in the top 10 league wide. He has also proven handy from the spot, scoring four penalties in all competitions in 2025/26.
Midfielder - Johan Manzambi
In Manzambi, Freiburg have unearthed another gem. Having broken into the side towards the end of 2024/25, the Switzerland international has become a key player this season, contributing five goals and four assists in 27 Bundesliga appearances. His quick feet and powerful running make him a nightmare to play against, while no Freiburg player won more than his 294 duels. Once he eradicates the occasional lapse in discipline - he missed five games due to suspension after picking up two red cards - he could be unstoppable.
Midfielder - Aleksandar Pavlović
Now in his third season as an important member of Bayern's midfield, it is easy to forget Pavlović only turned 22 at the start of May. This was his best season yet, as he made 24 Bundesliga appearances and proved to be Vincent Kompany's first-choice partner for Joshua Kimmich. The two are set to link up once more for Germany at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which can only be a good thing for the Nationalelf's chances of glory.
Midfielder - Assan Ouédraogo
Had it not been for a serious knee injury that saw him sidelined for four months, Ouédraogo may have had a shot at the overall Team of the Season. Still, he showed just how exciting a talent he is in the 19 Bundesliga outings he managed. Four goals and three assists is a solid return, and it is no coincidence that RB Leipzig averaged 2.38 points per game with him in the starting line-up compared to 1.78 without.
Attacking midfielder - Lennart Karl
It has been quite the debut season for Karl, who had never featured for Bayern prior to the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup win over Stuttgart. Alongside becoming the Bavarians' youngest-ever Champions League goalscorer, the teenager has been a regular contributor in the Bundesliga, managing an impressive five goals and as many assists in 16 starts. He also became the youngest Bayern player to score and assist in the same match, against Freiburg on Matchday 11, and has already earned himself two Germany caps.
Attacking midfielder - Ibrahim Maza
Even throughout a season during which Bayer Leverkusen were not quite at their best, Maza has been a joy to watch. He was in and out of the starting XI in the first half of the season, but was a regular after the winter break. "Ibo has incredible potential. He really can do anything. He's a top, top player who has a great future ahead of him," Leverkusen head coach Kasper Hjulmand said following the Algeria international's star turn against Leipzig on Matchday 32.
Attacking midfielder - Saïd El Mala
In Cologne's first season back in the big time, El Mala has been his team's brightest spark. Despite starting just 13 of the Billy Goats' opening 27 games, he still managed 10 goals, and added an extra three in seven games after Lukas Kwasniok was replaced by René Wagner. Ultimately, Deniz Undav was the only German in the Bundesliga to surpass his 13 strikes, and it is scary to think what El Mala could achieve with more than a single top-flight campaign under his belt.
Forward - Yan Diomande
At the start of the season, Côte d'Ivoire international Diomande was a relative unknown, but not anymore. The 2025/26 Rookie of the Season was Leipzig's driving force, scoring 12 goals and providing a further eight assists, while also winning a league-high 437 duels. Also in the Bundesliga top 10 for sprints, intensive runs and top speed, Diomande is a physical specimen as well as a tricky prodigy full of creativity, and is well on his way to becoming a superstar.
Substitutes
Mio Backhaus: In the top 10 for most saves, Backhaus adapted well to the Bundesliga in what was his first campaign in the German top flight with Werder Bremen.
Konstantinos Koulierakis: Wolfsburg have had a torrid 2025/26, but Koulierakis has been one of the few bright sparks. His four goals, including one on the final day against St. Pauli, helped the Wolves avoid automatic relegation, and they will need him at his best in the play-off against Paderborn.
Can Uzun: The Türkiye international flew out of the blocks with a goal in each of the opening five Bundesliga games of the season. While injury stunted his progress, a further three strikes means only Jonathan Burkardt found the back of the net more frequently for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bazoumana Touré: Compatriot Diomande's rise has perhaps overshadowed Toure's exploits. A scorer of five goals and contributor of nine assists, his exhilarating wing-play almost helped Hoffenheim qualify for the Champions League.
Leon Avdullahu: Avdullahu started all but two games for Hoffenheim during what was a strong debut Bundesliga season. An energetic midfielder, only four players covered more ground in the division in 2025/26.
