Dayot Upamecano has been voted Player of the Month for October by the FC Bayern fans. The French centre-back impressed with outstanding performances in defence, a strong presence in build-up play and goal threat. With 33.4 percent of the votes, he finished ahead of Konrad Laimer (21%) and Harry Kane (20.5%). The Frenchman won the fan poll for the first time this season. His compatriot Michael Olise had come out on top in the two previous months.
Upamecano was a reliable anchor in Bayern’s defence in October and played the full 90 minutes in all four relevant Bundesliga matches. The 28-year-old found the net against SC Freiburg and Borussia Dortmund, scoring goals in two consecutive matches for the first time in his Bundesliga career.
Defensive leader with outstanding presence
Upamecano has scored three Bundesliga goals so far in 2026/27 – more than in any other season with FC Bayern. No Bundesliga centre-back has scored more goals so far this campaign.
Upamecano is among the leaders in a number of defensive statistics. He’s played 101 passes into the final third, the most of all Bundesliga centre-backs. He’s the Bayern player who’s won the most balls in the defensive third (28), the most tackles (54) and aerial duels (24).
Upamecano also set personal bests for tackles won (2.1 per 90 minutes) and clearances (4.4 per 90 minutes) in FC Bayern colours. His physical presence, pace and anticiptation make him one of the German record champions’ most defining defenders.
© FC Bayern
A key player in Europe
His development is visible in the Champions League too. Upamecano didn’t make a single mistake that led to a shot or a goal conceded in his 315 minutes on the pitch this campaign. No Champions League centre-back has dribbled into the final third more often. The FCB pro has taken the ball there eight times so far.
Upamecano has played 43 line-breaking passes, topping the internal Bayern rankings. Since joining from RB Leipzig in 2021, he has recorded the best stats among Champions League centre-backs for passes into the final third, tackles won, dribbles and distance covered with the ball.
‘I give it everything in training’
“In life, it’s always about mentality. I give my all for my teammates, in every training session, want to keep a clean sheet in every game and want to win as many titles as possible with Bayern,” Upamecano said when he extended his contract until 2030 in February.
This mentality is reflected in his remarkable Bundesliga streak: FC Bayern have lost none of their last 53 league matches with the Frenchman on the pitch. Only Lukáš Hrádecky (54) and Jérôme Boateng (56) boast longer runs in the history of the Bundesliga.
Upamecano’s consistently strong performances earned him recognition beyond FC Bayern. The France international occupied 26th place in the vote for the 2026 Ballon d’Or and was included on the 30-man shortlist for the first time. With four German championship titles, one DFB Cup title and four Supercup triumphs, he’s one of the defining players of Bayern’s successful recent years.
Upamecano also won the FC Bayern Goal of the Month award:
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