Matthäus, Makaay, Robben & Co: These FC Bayern players have worn the number 10 shirt

When a player at FC Bayern is given the number 10, it's more than just a number on the jersey – it's an accolade. The ‘ten’ stands for creativity, exuberance and responsibility. It has adorned the jerseys of great thinkers and leaders of the game, ball artists and crowd favourites who could decide games when it mattered. Now Jamal Musiala is following in their footsteps – with joyful abandon, exceptional talent and the potential to make history himself. But before he opens this chapter, it's worth taking a look back: who were the most influential number 10s at FC Bayern?

When the number ten became a symbol: Uli Hoeneß and the early glory years

Uli Hoeneß sported the legendary number for six seasons between 1971 and 1978. The former attacking all-rounder and current honorary president shaped one of the most successful periods in the club's history: with the number ten on his shirt, he won the European Cup three times in a row (1974, 1975, 1976) and the German championship (1972, 1973, 1974). He not only felt at home in the classic number ten position in central attacking midfield, but also frequently used his drive and energy to great effect on the wings. Hoeneß gave the iconic number new meaning: it became an expression of leadership, class and the faces of FC Bayern.

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In the 1970s, two outstanding characters, Conny Torstensson and Paul Breitner (both in the 1973/74 season), wore the famous shirt number for the German record champions. From today's perspective, it's hard to imagine: World Cup winner Breitner played as a left-back with the number ten on his back. The number also briefly adorned the jersey of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (1975/76), who, as is well known, felt most at home in attack.

Technical geniuses, strikers, playmakers: Bayern's number 10s through the 1980s

During the following decade, Michael Rummenigge (between 1983 and 1988) was one of those who took up the mantle of the number 10. He played most of his games in Munich as a centre-forward. As did Roland Wohlfarth, who wore the shirt with this number in the 1984/85 season. Olaf Thon, on the other hand, who sported the FCB jersey with the iconic number between 1988 and 1992, preferred to play in central midfield – a silky-skilled strategist with excellent vision. As different as their playing styles were, they had one thing in common: game intelligence, flexibility – and a willingness to take on responsibility.

Bavaria's architect from the back: Lothar Matthäus and the new number ten

Hardly any other player had such a lasting impact on FC Bayern in the 1990s as Lothar Matthäus. It was no surprise that Germany's record appearance maker took over the number 10 upon his return to Munich. In the years that followed, he impressively demonstrated that playmakers do not necessarily have to operate in the centre of the attack – liberos can also orchestrate the game creatively. Matthäus fulfilled this role with great success: as number ten, he led FC Bayern to four league titles and was named Footballer of the Year in Germany for the second time in 1999.

Ten on his back, nine in his heart – Roy Makaay, the quiet poacher

Anyone who wants to understand Roy Makaay's significance for FC Bayern need only glance at his impressive statistics: in 183 appearances, the Dutch centre-forward scored a remarkable 103 goals for the German record champions. His most legendary one remains unforgettable – on 7 March 2007, in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid, Makaay scored the fastest goal in the history of the competition after just ten seconds. The jubilant scenes were watched around the world: the striker with the number ten on his back slid across the pitch on his knees and embraced his teammates. It was the moment Makaay finally won the hearts of the fans – a crowd favourite and a worthy wearer of the legendary number ten shirt.

A decade in red: the unforgettable era of the timeless ten

He was the most influential figure at FC Bayern over the past decade: with the number 10 on his back, Arjen Robben wrote his very own success story in Munich. With highs and lows, bitter defeats, magnificent comebacks and epic triumphs, he not only shaped his career but also an entire era at our club, creating unforgettable memories for the fans.

No one wore the iconic shirt number for the German record champions for as long as the winger from the Netherlands – from his arrival in 2009 until his departure in 2019. In 309 appearances for the Reds, he scored 144 goals and set up 100 more. It's not without reason that FCB fans still sing today: "Arjen did it!"

Between creativity and pace: Coutinho and Sané don the number ten

Philippe Coutinho had big shoes to fill after his move to Munich. With the gifted Brazilian on the pitch, the role of the traditional number ten at FC Bayern was once again fulfilled by a classic playmaker. The technically brilliant dribbler repaid the trust placed in him with stunning curling shots, creative moments and delicate assists – football artistry in its purest form. Coutinho contributed to the club's subsequent Champions League triumph.

The arrival of Leroy Sané the following year meant a winger once again sported the prestigious number ten shirt at FC Bayern. Like many of his predecessors, the Germany international was one of those players known as a difference maker – players who can turn a game around with a single move. Like Robben, he was a huge goal threat in one-on-one situations, preferring to come in at speed down the wing, cut inside and either shoot or find a better-placed teammate. He was a pacy dribbler who was difficult to stop once he got going, someone who pretty much ran the opposition's defence ragged. Sané also had a major influence on Bayern's attacking play without playing in the centre of the attack – just like Robben, Matthäus and Brehme before him. It's this common thread that runs through the history of the number ten at FC Bayern.

The magic of the number ten lives on: Jamal Musiala takes up the baton

Now a new, magical chapter is about to begin: Jamal Musiala will wear the legendary number 10 jersey from now on. At just 22 years of age, the skilful dribbler has already made over 200 competitive appearances for the German record champions – and has a promising future ahead of him. With his technique, creativity and intelligence, he regularly enthralls the crowd and has everything it takes to follow in the footsteps of his great predecessors and continue the history of the Bayern number 10 with his own magic.