Who is Leonard Prescott? Bayern Munich’s 16-year-old goalkeeper set for debut in Champions League | OneFootball

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany could be forced into making an unusual choice for tonight’s starting XI for the Champions League match against Atalanta, with 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott potentially in line to make his senior debut.

Prescott, a Germany youth international who regularly features for the club’s U19s, was called up to the senior side for the first time ahead of last week’s Champions League first leg tie against the Italian side, which Bayern won 6-1.

Jonas Urbig started the first leg but suffered a concussion, while third-choice Sven Ulreich then suffered an adductor muscle problem in the weekend’s Bundesliga draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer is still recovering from a calf issue as he looks to make a return at the business end of the season, meaning Prescott could be the only available option for Kompany this evening at the Allianz.

But who is the 16-year-old, and how has he made to it Bayern’s senior squad?

Prescott was born in September 2009 in New York, and was a member of the youth sides at German club Union Berlin before moving to Bayern in 2023.

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Prescott (R) was called up to the senior squad for the first time for last week's win over Atalanta (Getty Images)

He has made 12 appearances for the clkub’s U19s and four for the Uefa Youth League team, while he has also featured for Germany’s U17s, making his debut in September 2025.

He is yet to feature for Bayern’s senior sides, while he is also still eligible to represent the USA on the international stage in senior football

The youngster has drawn early comparisons to Neuer due to his height and composure, with the official Bundesliga website also making comparisons to current Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Bayern youth team coach Peter Gaydarov has previously called Prescott “technically outstanding”, adding: “You feel like he could play outfield. He's very courageous in his actions and definitely very advanced for his age.”

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Prescott has previously featured for Germany’s youth sides too (Getty Images for DFB)

Speaking ahead of Prescott’s potential incluson in the starting line-up on Wednesday, Bayern boss Kompany stated: “He is very calm. Overall, we as a staff are also calm. If he plays tomorrow he will have our full backing. Everyone will help.

“There will never be a young player who will be forced to play a main role. We have full confidence in him whatever happens tomorrow,” added the Belgian.

If Bayern do manage to successfully navigate the second leg of their last-16 tie, they will face continental rivals Real Madrid in next month’s quarter-finals, with the Bavarians scheduled to play the second leg at home in the week of 14/15 April.