Youngest record champion, utility man & leading foreign appearance-maker - Danke, David Alaba!

Everything must come to an end, and sadly that includes David Alaba’s incredible spell at FC Bayern. This Saturday’s home match against Augsburg will be the Austrian’s last appearance in his famous number 27 shirt for FCB. The utility man has been in Munich for 13 years, during which he’s developed from a young buck to an experienced, world-class player, winning title after title along the way. Saying goodbye is never easy, but there are many reasons to say thanks. fcbayern.com has picked out seven.

#1 Only Müller has been here longer

The beginning: Alaba came on for Anatoliy Tymoshchuk in the 59th minute of a DFB Cup tie against Greuther Fürth.

Alaba made his professional debut in a 6-2 win against Greuther Fürth in the quarter-finals of the DFB Cup on 10 February 2010. That makes him the second longest-serving player in the German record champions’ current squad behind Thomas Müller, who debuted on 15 August 2008.

#2 Youngest debutant

Champions League debut: Alaba started in the round of 16 second leg away to Fiorentina.

At the age of 17 years, seven months and 17 days, Alaba became the youngest player to feature for FC Bayern in a competitive fixture (together with Mats Hummels). It was not until 2020 that he was overtaken by Jamal Musiala. Nearly four weeks after his debut, Alaba also made his bow in the Bundesliga on 6 March 2010 against Köln, and then his Champions League debut followed three days later in an away match against Fiorentina.

Milestone

A decade as a Bayern pro: David Alaba's impressive anniversary

#3 Racking up titles from an early age

Alaba has amassed an impressive 27 trophies during his 11 years as a professional, including 10 Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cup successes as well as two titles each in the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Alaba was also named Footballer of the Year in his home country six times in a row between 2011 and 2016, an honour he received again in 2020. In 2013 and 2014, he beat skier Anna Veith in the vote for Austrian Sports Personality of the Year, becoming the first footballer to receive the award since Toni Polster in 1997.

#4 Youngest record champion

Ten German league titles is a feat matched only by teammate Müller in Bundesliga history. At 28 years old, the Austrian is the youngest record Bundesliga champion.

#5 FCB’s leading foreign appearance-maker

Franck Ribéry and David Alaba are close friends. The pair wreaked havoc down the left wing for FCB for many years, forming an unstoppable partnership. Numerous titles were the natural consequence.

If Alaba plays against Augsburg at the weekend, it will be his 431st appearance (33 goals) in all competitions for the Reds. No foreign player has played more games. Last season, he overtook long-time teammate and friend Franck Ribéry in that category (425 appearances, 124 goals).

#6 All-purpose Alaba

Fair: Alaba has never been sent off in 430 competitive games for Bayern and has never had to serve a suspension for yellow cards in the Bundesliga.

There’s hardly a player in the Bayern squad who is more versatile than Alaba. As well as his natural position as left-back, he has been used as a centre-back, defensive midfielder, left midfielder and even right midfielder.

#7 Good mood guaranteed

It’s not just Hansi Flick who has often emphasised how important Alaba has been for team spirit. His Viennese dialect is legendary and regularly causes laughs in the Bayern dressing room. As well as being versatile on the field, the Austrian also possesses a few talents off it – as he demonstrates on his social media channels. Whether it’s as a fashion model, as a musician at home on the grand piano or as an entertainer on the stage of a title win, the 28-year-old always cuts a fine figure. And once his playing days are over, he could even pursue a second career as a football commentator 👇

Alaba spoke about his time at FCB in a big interview with club magazine 51: