Contract expiring: What next for Guerreiro at Bayern? | OneFootball

Raphael Guerreiro is one of the most technically skilled players in FC Bayern's squad. However, while other regulars are frequently in the lineup, the Portuguese player only sporadically appears in the starting eleven this season. During the 5-1 away victory in the Champions League against Pafos, the 31-year-old seized his opportunity – and recommended himself with a strong performance and a remarkable goal. However, his future on the Isar remains uncertain.

Joshua Kimmich described his teammate's performance as "outstanding" after the final whistle – and the midfield chief was not wrong in his assessment. Guerreiro started on the left side of defense, a position he now rarely occupies in Munich. The reason for this is his deficiencies in speed and physical robustness, which make him vulnerable against top opponents.

Coach Vincent Kompany therefore often relies on alternatives like Josip Stanisic or Konrad Laimer in the absence of Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito. Against a team like Pafos, however, Guerreiro was the ideal choice: Bayern dominated for 90 minutes, gave the opponent little breathing room, and was able to control the game at will. In this environment, the Portuguese player thrived, often moving into the center and scoring after a one-two with Nicolas Jackson to make it 2-0. It was his first Champions League goal since the 9-2 victory against Dinamo Zagreb in the fall of 2024.

After Harry Kane's substitution, Kompany even deployed Guerreiro in the number ten position – and he showed his class there as well. Especially in games against weaker opponents in the Bundesliga, he could take on this role more frequently in the future.

Contract expires in 2026 – Future uncertain

Photo: IMAGO

Despite his versatility, the veteran's future remains open. So far this season, Guerreiro has only been on the field for 230 out of a possible 810 competitive minutes and recently had to sit out against HSV due to an injury.

While there are already intense discussions about contract extensions for Serge Gnabry or Dayot Upamecano, Guerreiro's contract quietly expires at the end of the season. Whether he will stay in Munich is completely open. It is quite possible that the 2025/26 season will be his last in a Bayern jersey and that he will seek a new challenge in the summer.

On the other hand, the record champion could also keep their experienced all-rounder as a valuable alternative – especially if he repeats performances like the one against Pafos. For Kompany, the Portuguese remains a player for special moments: not a regular starter in the classic sense, but a professional who can make a difference in certain games.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.