Wisdom Mike's debut: These are FC Bayern's youngest & oldest CL players | OneFootball

Manuel Neuer stands for superlatives. For over a decade and a half, he has characterised the game of goalkeeping like no other: with reflexes that make the most spectacular saves possible, with composure and a presence that drive even the greatest strikers to despair, and with countless records that have already made him a legend. Even at the age of 39, the FC Bayern captain still reigns supreme in his favourite discipline. In the 3-1 Champions League opener against Chelsea, he wrote another chapter in his extraordinary career: at 39 years and 174 days, Neuer became the oldest player ever to play for FC Bayern in Europe's premier club competition. After Wisdom Mike came off the bench on Wednesday evening against Club Brugge, there's now a new second-youngest player in history.

Third-oldest Bayern player in the CL: Oliver Kahn

Oliver Kahn made a total of 103 appearances in the Champions League for FC Bayern.

Oliver Kahn was not quite as experienced as our current captain, but still an absolute veteran when he played his last Champions League match for FC Bayern on 11 April 2007. In the quarter-final second leg at the sold-out Allianz Arena, the record champions lost 2-0 to AC Milan and were knocked out. Kahn was exactly 37 years, nine months and 27 days old at the time, making him the third-oldest Bayern player to make an appearance in Europe's premier club competition - which he also once won in a Munich jersey: in the legendary penalty shoot-out against Valencia, the former Germany international saved Zlatko Zahovič's attempt and became a hero. The Titan ended his playing career in the summer of 2008.

Second-oldest Bayern player in the CL: Lothar Matthäus

Lothar Matthäus won seven league titles with FC Bayern - but despite his extraordinary career, he was never able to win the CL trophy.

The fact that Lothar Matthäus continued to shine at the top level of European football well into his later years is impressive proof of his exceptional status as one of the most complete players of his generation. His last appearance for FC Bayern in Europe's premier club competition dates back to 3 March 2000: in the group stage against Real Madrid, Germany's record appearance-maker was exactly 38 years, 11 months and 16 days old. The Munich men celebrated a 4-1 home win against the Los Blancos in the Olympiastadion - it was Matthäus' 30th appearance for FCB in the Champions League. A short time later, he moved to US Major League Soccer club New York MetroStars. The Erlangen-born player finally ended his career in the same year.

Oldest Bayern player in the CL: Manuel Neuer

The 3-1 win against Chelsea was Manuel Neuer's 100th victory with FC Bayern in Europe's premier club competition.

Few goalkeepers embody as much composure and aplomb, and few have characterised the position to such an extent in recent decades: Manuel Neuer is the epitome of the modern goalkeeper - and a role model for an entire generation. Above all, however, he stands for consistency. He's been in the Bayern goal for over 14 years, although describing him as 'just' a goalkeeper would be doing him a grave disservice. As a modern keeper, his territory is by no means limited to the penalty area: he defuses long diagonal passes with bold runs out of the box, actively participates in the build-up play and even takes up position on the halfway line when Bayern are awarded a corner kick. In the 3-1 win over Chelsea, Neuer once again impressively demonstrated these skills - and at the same time made history: at 39 years, five months and 21 days, he became the oldest FCB player in Champions League history. A milestone that confirms his status as an exceptional professional player and shows how he's shaped an entire era of the German record champions over years.

On Wednesday evening in the 4-0 win over Club Brugge, Neuer was already 36 years 6 months 26 days old - and broke Iker Casillas' Champions League record: no keeper had ever before celebrated 102 wins in the competition. With 153 appearances, he also overtook Karim Benzema and is now one of the five players with the most Champions League appearances ever. 

Fourth-youngest Bayern player in the CL: Bright Arrey-Mbi

Bright Arrey-Mbi made his first and only appearance for the FC Bayern senior side in the group stage match against Atlético Madrid in the 2020/21 season.

FC Bayern's experienced and seasoned players have always been joined by young, up-and-coming talents who have been given their chance on the international stage. Bright Arrey-Mbi not only celebrated his Champions League debut in the 1-1 draw at Atlético Madrid in the group stage of the 2020/21 season, but also made his first-ever appearance in a competitive match for the Munich men. At the time, head coach Hansi Flick had great faith in the talented defender and put him straight into the starting XI. The former Germany youth international was exactly 17 years, eight months and five days old at the time - three days younger than Jamal Musiala was on his maiden appearance for FCB in Europe's premier club competition in November 2020 against Salzburg (6-2). For 61 minutes, Arrey-Mbi defended the left flank against Yannick Carrasco and João Félix, having played for the Reds' U19s in the previous season.

Third-youngest Bayern player in the CL: Mathys Tel

Mathys Tel made his maiden Champions League appearance for FC Bayern against none other than Barcelona. In the group stage game on 13 September 2022, Julian Nagelsmann brought on the summer signing in the 80th minute for Leroy Sané - and the young Frenchman was able to show what he could do for the first time on the European stage against the likes of Ousmane Dembélé, Sergio Busquets & Co. Although his stint lasted just under ten minutes, it ended with an emphatic 2-0 home win for the Munich men. At 17 years, four months and 17 days, Tel is now the third-youngest player to have turned out for the German record champions in the Champions League.

Second-youngest Bayern player in the CL: Wisdom Mike

Made his Champions League debut at the age of 17 years and 29 days: Wisdom Mike.

He was in FC Bayern's Champions League squad for the first time in Cyprus in the win over Paphos, but was an unused sub. However, Wisdom Mike was given his chance on the following matchday, on 22 October 2025 in the sold-out Allianz Arena against Belgian cup winners Club Brugge. With 81 minutes gone, head coach Vincent Kompany brought him on for Luis Díaz, who had put his team 3-0 up before the break. Mike, who was born in Munich, lost no time in showing off his enthusiasm, his technique and his pace, keeping the Brugge defence busy and helping to wrap up the resounding victory. At 17 years and 29 days, “Weezy” is the second-youngest player to have turned out for FC Bayern in Europe's premier club competition.

You can find out more about Wisdom Mike in our FC Bayern Campus Stories series , where we accompany the winger throughout the season.

Youngest Bayern player in the CL: Paul Wanner

Paul Wanner made a total of eight appearances for the FC Bayern senior side - his first Champions League match was against Viktoria Plzeň.

Only one player was younger when he made his Champions League debut for FC Bayern: Paul Wanner pulled on the FCB jersey in the Champions League for the first time at the tender age of 16 years, nine months and 19 days. In the Reds' 4-2 win at Viktoria Plzeň on 12 October 2022, the talented attacking player came off the bench for Dayot Upamecano in the 70th minute of the match - Bayern won 4-2 in the end and went through to the round of 16 ahead of schedule.

Kompany: 'The young players showed they can help us'