Cassiano Kiala: Who is the centre-back who could become Bayern Munich's second-youngest player ever?
Cassiano Kiala has been named by Vincent Kompany in Bayern Munich's squad for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. bundesliga.com gives you the lowdown on a defensive talent who could write himself into the history books in the USA...
Stats correct as of 11 June 2025
Cassiano Kiala
Age: 16 (born 11 January 2009)
Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Centre-back
Country: Germany (12 youth caps)
Key stats
Kiala will get a taste of the elite this summer as he trains with Bayern's best, his inclusion in the squad an indication of his talent. The 16-year-old has only been with the club for a year, having joined from Hertha Berlin in 2024. He immediately became an important part of the U17 side, making 21 appearances throughout the 2024/25 campaign, and played in all three matches of the Bundesliga finals tournament, where Bayern lost to Bayer Leverkusen in the last four.
At international level, Kiala has 12 caps - one for the Germany U15s and 11 for the U16s. He made his debut for the latter in a 3-2 win over Austria in September of last year, and has since worn the captain's armband on three occasions. He is yet to taste defeat as skipper.
Plays a bit like: Dayot Upamecano
Strong, fast and athletic, Kiala is a similar profile to Bayern and France centre-back Dayot Upamecano, who is also part of the record champions' Club World Cup squad. He also thrives as part of a high defensive line and in counter-pressing situations.
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Did you know?
If Kiala features in the Club World Cup, he will become the second-youngest Bayern player of all time. Paul Wanner holds the record, having come on against Borussia Mönchengladbach in January 2022 at the age of just 16 years and 15 days old.
What they're saying...
"In Cassiano, we have been able to convince a talented youngster that Bayern is the right place to develop. He has received excellent coaching at his previous club and we have high hopes for the future. We are delighted that he will now play for Bayern and wish him much success at our campus." - Halil Altıntop, former director of the Bayern Campus
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