Bundesliga
5 Bayern youngsters to watch at the Club World Cup
Franz Beckenbauer, Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala are just a handful of the hot prospects turned stars at Bayern Munich down the years. bundesliga.com checks out some of the latest first-team candidates hoping to follow in those acclaimed footsteps, starting at this summer's FIFA Club World Cup...
David Santos Daiber
Age: 18 (born 1 January 2007)
Position: Defensive midfielder
Country: Portugal, Luxembourg, Germany
Called up to Vincent Kompany's Club World Cup squad, Daiber's approaching 10 years on the Bayern books. The defensive midfielder has impressed with the club's U17s and 19s, whilst also playing in the UEFA Youth League and earning his first junior international caps for Portugal.
Daiber will be learning from the likes of Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Aleksandar Pavlović and Tom Bischof during Bayern's Club World Cup campaign, before returning to Munich, where he has a contract through to summer 2027.
Jonah Kusi-Asare
Age: 17 (born 4 July 2007)
Position: Forward
Country: Sweden, Ghana
Kusi-Asare is the latest Bayern academy graduate to make his debut for the Bavarian giants, having come off the bench in the 88th minute in the 3-0 win against Mainz on Matchday 31.
The Swedish youngster joined Bayern in February 2024 from AIK in Sweden, the club where he made his professional debut just one month and 24 days after turning 16. He's since made a number of Regionalliga appearances for the reserves and has also become a regular for the club’s UEFA Youth League side.
Given his nationality and his tall, slim build, it is little surprise that the youngster is already being compared to fellow countryman Aleksander Isak. On his Sweden U17s debut, Kusi-Asare scored a hat-trick against Moldova.
Expect to see the youngster continue to make matchday squads next season, especially if Bayern don’t sign a back-up striker for Harry Kane.
Age: 19 (born 2 June 2006)
Position: Left-back/left-winger
Country: Morocco, Spain
Aznou is another player to have already made the step up to Bayern’s first team, having appeared twice in the first half of the season before moving on loan to Real Valladolid in February. Since moving back to Spain, the former Barcelona academy man has been racking up top-flight minutes that can only aid his development.
With Alphonso Davies suffering a serious injury whilst on international duty in March, Aznou will be optimistic about receiving increased minutes for Bayern this summer and into next season. Aznou made his return to the Bayern matchday squad against Auckland City FC in Bayern's Club World Cup opener as he came on for the final ten minutes.
Speaking after Aznou’s debut in December, Kompany seemed confident of the left-back's ability to have an impact on the first team.
"Adam has done very well. In training, but also with the national team. And now, of course, it feels like we have an extra player to count on. He's young, he can be proud, his parents can be proud."
Age: 19 (born 11 August 2005)
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Germany
This summer marks the end of an era for Bayern and Müller, but that could yet prove an opportunity for many of the club’s budding young talents. One of those, is Krattenmacher. The 19-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder and this season has been showcasing his talents whilst out on loan at second division side Ulm.
Krattenmacher - signed from nearby Unterhaching in summer 2024 - was a mainstay in the Ulm first team, playing all but two of the club’s league games. In that time, he scored three goals and registered four assists.
Age: 17 (born 22 February 2008)
Position: Forward
Country: Germany
Karl made his first-team debut against Auckland City FC in Bayern's opening game of the Club World Cup, playing the second 45 minutes. Although he was unable to contribute a goal, he displayed a directness and skill that will have Bayern fans desperate to see more. Karl's appearance at the Club World Cup was a reward for his stellar campaign at youth level last season. The 17-year-old had an incredible 45 goal contributions to his name across just 30 appearances for the club in 2024/25.
Karl has already been part of several Bayern senior squads this season, including for both UEFA Champions League quarter-final games against Inter Milan and his game has drawn comparisons with Michael Olise.