The story of Bayern’s celebratory cockatoo

Some fans have already been sending him fan mail. Yes, it’s the porcelain cockatoo. His original owners insist it’s a true Munich native, but at some point, life on a shelf in the Käfer restaurant in the city centre was apparently no longer exciting enough for him. The original owner, Michael Käfer, jokingly writes on his restaurant’s website that the cockatoo probably fluttered off of its own accord to “watch the great football adventure up close”. Others, however, claim that the cockatoo was rather involuntarily transported to Säbener Straße by the jubilant title-winning players.

A porcelain icon

Whatever the true story, the porcelain cockatoo became a fixture at all of last year’s celebrations and has evolved into an iconic object and talisman for Bayern. “Ever since we won the title, he’s been coming along with us time and again. And whenever we win a title, he’ll always be there,” revealed sporting director Christoph Freund at the time.

The last time the cockatoo was seen was during the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup victory at the start of the season, before it reappeared in unprecedented splendour on Sunday evening following the team’s next Bundesliga title win. This time it was printed on the official celebratory shirts, carrying the trophy and wearing a Bayern jersey. You can get your own cockatoo shirt here!

Original to fan favourite

The original porcelain bird, which Käfer had long since officially presented to the team as a lucky charm, was proudly carried by Leon Goretzka towards the singing Südkurve. A year later, the bird was once again a must-have during the celebrations with the team and fans. “It already dominated last year’s celebrations. It’s had to wait a long time before we let it out of its cage again,” explained Goretzka.

Chasing titles with the cockatoo

If Bayern have their way, the cockatoo is set for quite an exciting few weeks. A win in the DFB Cup semi-final at Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday will secure their place in the final in Berlin. A week later follows the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. And after the final home game against Köln, when the trophy is handed over, the cockatoo might well get the odd wheat beer shower. Though, as Goretzka revealed, it actually only drinks champagne, as befits a true champion.