From Beckenbauer to Kimmich: All of Bayern’s Germany captains

Franz Beckenbauer (50 games as Germany captain): The Kaiser was the nation’s leader from 1971 to 1977, with his transfer from Bayern to the New York Cosmos also seeing him retire from international football. Germany won the Euros in 1972 and the 1974 World Cup on home soil under his captaincy.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (51 games as Germany captain): The former striker was named Germany captain by Jupp Derwall in 1981. Under him, the country twice reached the final of the World Cup in 1982 and 1986. Rummenigge resigned from the position and retired from international duty after 95 caps in the wake of the 1986 defeat. He also played for Inter Milan during his time as captain.

Lothar Matthäus (75 games as Germany captain): Matthäus took over the armband in 1987 and remained as captain until 1994. Germany’s most capped player (150 games) led out his country 75 times, placing him top of that list as well. The highlight of his tenure was the 1990 World Cup triumph in Italy during his time at Inter Milan, before ending his career at the New York Metro Stars.

Jürgen Klinsmann (36 games as Germany captain): Klinsmann succeeded Matthäus as the national team’s leader in 1995 until 1998, during which time he played for Bayern, Tottenham Hotspur and Sampdoria. But his greatest hour came as a Munich player, getting to lift the European Championship in England in 1996.

Oliver Kahn (50 games as Germany captain): The Titan took over as Germany captain in 2002 and led the team until 2004. He became the first goalkeeper to be win the Golden Ball at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea as Germany reached the final against Brazil. However, it was famously his mistake in the showpiece that allowed the South Americans to claim victory.

Michael Ballack (55 games as Germany captain): Ballack followed in Kahn’s footsteps and wore the armband for six years between 2004 and 2010, during which time he played for Bayern and Chelsea. As well as third place at the home World Cup in 2006, Germany also reached the final of Euro 2008 under Ballack’s leadership.

Philipp Lahm (53 games as Germany captain): After Ballack had to miss out on the 2010 World Cup due to injury, Bayern defender Lahm took over the captaincy and famously lifted the World Cup trophy in Brazil four years later after victory over Argentina in the final in Rio de Janeiro.

Bastian Schweinsteiger (18 games as Germany captain): Lahm’s successor as skipper was long-time teammate Schweinsteiger. He led Germany to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France, the year after he’d left his boyhood club for Manchester United. The midfielder retired from international duty following the tournament.

Manuel Neuer (61 games as Germany captain): Neuer became the third 2014 hero to take over the captaincy, with the Bayern goalkeeper leading out his country from 2016 to 2022 when his broken leg ruled him out of action for over a year and saw him pass on the armband.

Joshua Kimmich (17 games as Germany captain): Kimmich was named as Germany’s new full-time captain by Julian Nagelsmann in the wake of Ilkay Gündogan’s international retirement in summer 2024. The Bayern man already has experience of 17 games leading out his country.