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Bayern's World Cup participants in profile

World Cup 2018

Mon | 04/06/18 | 16:15

Bayern's World Cup participants in profile

Bayern's World Cup stars can boast plenty of international experience, goals and success.

4 June was the deadline, and now the 32 nations competing in the World Cup have confirmed their squads. Bayern will be represented by 11 players from five countries - <em>fcbayern.com</em> presents the record champions’ World Cup participants:

Thomas Müller can be relied on for goals when it comes to the World Cup finals. At the age of just 20, the attacker won the Golden Boot at the 2010 tournament in South Africa with five goals. Four years later, Müller followed that up and was again Germany’s top scorer with five goals. The 28 year-old goes into his third World Cup as the most successful scorer in the current squad – and he’s far from finished yet.

<strong>Thomas Müller (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 90/38<br>International debut: 03.03.2010 – 0-1 vs. Argentina (Munich)<br>Honours: Winner World Cup 2014; third place World Cup 2010; Golden Boot and best young player World Cup 2010<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 13/10

As Germany stormed to success in Brazil four years ago, Manuel Neuer not only impressed with world-class saves but also with his feet, stopping opposition attackers before they’d even got into the box. ‘Manu the Libero’ was born and Neuer was recognised as the best goalkeeper of the tournament following the final. There have long been doubts over whether the 32 year-old would get the opportunity to defend his title due to a long-term foot injury, but he has returned to fitness just in time for Russia and Neuer will be going to the World Cup as Germany’s number one for the third time.

<strong>Manuel Neuer (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 75/0<br>International debut: 02.06.2009 – 7-2 vs. UAE (Dubai)<br>Honours: Winner World Cup 2014; third place World Cup 2010; Golden Glove World Cup 2014<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 13/0

He tackles, runs and battles - he seems invincible to Messi and Co. Jérôme Boateng's performance in the final in Rio four years ago is unforgettable. The centre-back enjoyed one of the best games of his career in the World Cup triumph over Argentina and his magnificent performance was one of the factors in Germany being crowned world champions for a fourth time. He and current teammate Mats Hummels formed the heart of a defence that conceded just four goals in seven games. Having missed the end of the season because of a thigh injury, Boateng is fit again in time to continue this success story in his third World Cup appearance.

<strong>Jérôme Boateng (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 70/1<br>International debut: 10.10.2009 – 1-0 vs. Russia (Moscow)<br>Honours: Winner World Cup 2014; third place World Cup 2010<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 12/0

Mats Hummels got his hands on the trophy in his first World Cup four years ago. It wasn’t just defensively that the tough-tackling centre-back contributed to the success – his aerial prowess also caught the eye at the other end. Having scored in the 4-0 opening win against Portugal, Hummels also headed in the winning goal against France in the quarter-finals. The 29 year-old’s threat at set-pieces could prove to be a valuable weapon in Germany’s arsenal again in Russia.

<strong>Mats Hummels (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 63/5<br>International debut: 13.05.2010 – 3-0 vs. Malta (Aachen)<br>Honours: Winner World Cup 2014<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 6/2

Joshua Kimmich had big boots to fill having replaced Philipp Lahm on the right of the Germany defence. Yet the 23 year-old has shown himself to be a worthy successor to Lahm in the national side just as he has done at Bayern, becoming an indispensable part of Jogi Löw’s team. After being part of the Confederations Cup-winning side last summer, Kimmich is now preparing for his first World Cup.

<strong>Joshua Kimmich (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 28/3<br>International debut: 29.05.2016 – 1-3 vs. Slovakia (Augsburg)<br>Honours: Winner Confederations Cup 2017<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

Sebastian Rudy was one of the pillars of the victorious German team at last summer’s Confederations Cup, starting all five matches. One year on, he’ll again be representing his country in Russia. The 28 year-old has made the step up at a top club after moving to Bayern before the start of last season, and now he’s preparing for his first World Cup. Coach Jogi Löw values the versatility of Rudy, who has played on the wing and at right-back for the national team as well as in his natural position in the centre of midfield.

<strong>Sebastian Rudy (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 25/1<br>International debut: 13.05.2014 – 0-0 vs. Poland (Hamburg)<br>Honours: Winner Confederations Cup 2017<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

Olympic silver in Rio in 2016, Confederations Cup winner in Russia last year: when Niklas Süle plays in a tournament for Germany, he goes all the way. It’s little wonder, therefore, that Jogi Löw has called on the centre-back to aid the holders’ title defence. At the age of 22, the 6ft 5in giant is the youngest defender in the Germany squad, but Süle is certainly not lacking in experience after two major tournaments in the last two years as well as appearances in the Champions League with Bayern this season.

<strong>Niklas Süle (Germany)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 10/0<br>International debut: 31.08.2016 – 2-0 vs. Finland (Mönchengladbach)<br>Honours: Winner Confederations Cup 2017; Silver medal Olympics 2016<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

It's hard to believe it but Robert Lewandowski, who has established himself as one of the best strikers in the world in recent years due to his accuracy in front of goal, will take part in the World Cup for the first time this summer. However, the 29 year-old travels to Russia off the back of a record of 16 goals in 10 qualifiers. Only Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Al-Sahlawi managed as many as Poland’s record scorer during qualifying for the tournament. Now Lewandowski will be eyeing his first goals at the finals.

<strong>Robert Lewandowski (Poland)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 93/52<br>International debut: 19.11.2008 – 3-2 vs. Ireland (Dublin)<br>Honours: Top scorer World Cup 2018 qualifying; Poland's record goal scorer<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

James Rodríguez scored in each of his five games at his first World Cup four years ago and this incredible record secured him the Golden Boot in Brazil with a total of six goals. Despite James’ goals, Colombia’s journey ended at the quarter-final stage with a 2-1 defeat to the hosts. This year they’re looking to go further: “We have more experience and that counts for something at this World Cup,” reflected the Bayern star, who will be leading ‘los Cafeteros’ as captain in Russia.

<strong>James Rodríguez (Colombia)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 63/21<br>International debut: 11.10.2011 – 2-1 vs. Bolivia (La Paz)<br>Honours: Golden Boot World Cup 2014<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 5/6

Four years ago, Thiago was in Spain’s preliminary World Cup squad but a knee injury ruled him out of the tournament in Brazil. This will therefore be his first time at the Word Cup. After they were knocked out in the group stage as reigning champions in 2014, Spain want to make amends and ‘La Roja’ are again among the favourites for the tournament. That’s also thanks to Thiago, who is set to play a key role in Spain’s gifted midfield.

<strong>Thiago (Spain)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 28/2<br>International debut: 10.08.2011 – 1-2 vs. Italy (Bari)<br>Honours: -<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

2018 has already produced some outstanding debuts for Corentin Tolisso. The 23 year-old celebrated the first major title of his career with Bayern this season and now he goes into his first major tournament with France. ‘Les Bleus’ are one of the favourites in Russia and Tolisso has a good chance of being handed a starting spot by coach Didier Deschamps.

<strong>Corentin Tolisso (France)</strong><br>International appearances/goals: 8/0<br>International debut: 28.03.2017 – 0-2 vs. Spain (Paris)<br>Honours: -<br>World Cup appearances/goals: 0/0

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