Bundesliga 2024-25 Team of the Season

Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title, finishing 13 points ahead of last season’s champions Bayer Leverkusen, as Harry Kane finally lifted a major trophy. Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Dortmund will join them in next season’s UEFA Champions League, while surprise contenders SC Freiburg secured an impressive fifth-place finish.

With the 2024–25 Bundesliga campaign now complete, we’ve reviewed the standout performances across the league and compiled our Team of the Season. These 11 players earned their spots by outperforming all others in their respective positions.

Bundesliga 2024-25 Team of the Season (4-1-3-2)

Goalkeeper – Nikola Vasilj (St. Pauli)

Nikola Vasilj topping the Bundesliga’s goalkeeping charts this season wasn’t something many foresaw, especially considering St. Pauli had just been promoted. The 29-year-old Bosnian hadn’t enjoyed a standout campaign in Bundesliga 2 last year—he led the league in errors leading to goals (six) and had no top-tier experience outside of Ukraine and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Despite that, Vasilj proved pivotal in helping St. Pauli avoid an immediate return to the second tier, marking their first top-flight survival since the 1995–96 season when they placed 15th. While the Kiezkicker struggled in attack, they were defensively resilient—conceding just 41 goals, second only to champions Bayern Munich (32).

According to expected goals on target (xGOT), Vasilj’s shot-stopping was exceptional. He conceded 38 goals (excluding own goals) from 48 xGOT, effectively preventing 10 goals—more than any other keeper in the league.

Out of 136 shots on target faced, Vasilj made 97 saves—ranking fifth in total saves. Among goalkeepers who faced at least 100 shots, only RB Leipzig’s Péter Gulácsi boasted a higher save percentage (71.5%) than Vasilj’s impressive 71.3%.

Right-Back – Mitchell Weiser (Werder Bremen)

For the second consecutive Bundesliga season, Werder Bremen narrowly missed out on securing a return to European competition, having last featured in the 2010–11 UEFA Champions League. One of their standout performers was right wing-back Mitchell Weiser, who led all Bremen outfielders in minutes played (2,870) and finished with the joint-highest assist tally (8), alongside Marvin Ducksch.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a career-best Bundesliga campaign in terms of goal contributions, directly involved in 13 goals. His five goals marked a personal high for a single league season, while only in 2023–24 did he record more assists (9).

Despite playing as a wing-back, Weiser was heavily involved in the attacking third, registering 113 touches in the opposition box—second only to Ducksch (120) at Bremen. In terms of chance creation from open play, only Romano Schmid (54) surpassed Weiser’s 41.

His attacking intent was evident throughout the season. He completed 80 dribbles—the second-most in the squad—and ranked third in the Bundesliga for carries that led to assists (4).

At 31, Weiser delivered the most impactful top-flight campaign of his career, proving that experience and consistency remain invaluable assets.

Central Defender – Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

Without Dayot Upamecano in the lineup, Bayern Munich looked noticeably more vulnerable. In his absence, the team allowed an average of 8.3 shots and 1.1 goals per game, suffering two defeats. However, with him marshalling the defence across 20 matches, those numbers dropped significantly—just 5.8 shots and 0.9 goals conceded per game.

Operating in a possession-heavy system, Upamecano naturally saw a great deal of the ball. Among all Bundesliga players with over 1,000 minutes in 2024–25, only Joshua Kimmich (124) and Kim Min-jae (110) averaged more touches per 90 than the Frenchman (109). He completed 1,908 passes with an outstanding 94.1% accuracy—the highest rate in the league for players with at least 200 passes. He was also second to Kimmich (26.7) in carries per 90 minutes, averaging 26.3 (min. 800 minutes played).

Defensively, Upamecano was just as impressive. He led all Bayern defenders (min. 600 minutes) in interceptions (1.7 per 90) and duels won (5.6 per 90). Across the league, only Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck (3.6) recovered possession more frequently in the defensive third than Upamecano (3.2 per 90).

The French centre-back’s composed distribution and defensive stability were central to Bayern Munich finishing the season with the Bundesliga’s best defensive record and reclaiming the title.

Central Defender – Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)

While Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t replicate the remarkable heights of their 2023–24 campaign—particularly in terms of defensive resilience—Jonathan Tah remained a consistent and dependable presence at the heart of their backline.

The 29-year-old clocked 2,970 minutes out of a possible 3,060 in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season, the highest total among all Leverkusen players. No outfield player for Die Werkself had logged that many minutes in a single top-flight season since Stefan Kießling in 2012–13 (3,018).

Tah was also heavily involved in building from the back, completing 2,295 passes—fifth-most in the league. His 93% pass completion rate was elite, and the only time a Bundesliga player has bettered that efficiency with over 2,000 passes in a single season came from Tah himself in 2023–24, when he completed 95% of 2,185 passes.

His reliability extended to error-free defending as well—this marked the fourth straight Bundesliga campaign in which Tah did not commit a single mistake leading to a goal, further highlighting his calm and calculated defensive approach.

Left-Back – Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart)

Stuttgart faced an uphill battle for consistency in 2024–25 after the departure of several key players last summer. Yet, one figure who maintained his level and proved indispensable was Maximilian Mittelstädt, who carried over his strong form from the previous season.

Often underrated throughout his career, the left-back delivered a personal-best seven assists in his 10th Bundesliga campaign. Six of those came from open play—a team-high—trailing only Angelo Stiller (8) in total assists for Stuttgart this season.

Mittelstädt’s tireless work down the flank made him a constant threat. He delivered 148 open-play crosses—at least 32 more than any other Bundesliga player—with 40 reaching a teammate. Among players who attempted 100 or more open-play crosses, he boasted the joint-best accuracy rate at 27%.

That creative output translated into 42 open-play chances created, the most by any defender in the league and enough to rank him among the Bundesliga’s top 10 overall in that metric.

Defensively, Mittelstädt was just as influential. He won 66% of his duels—the highest percentage among outfielders with over 2,000 minutes—and led the league in successful tackles with 54.

While Stuttgart may not have had a standout season, Mittelstädt’s individual performances were undeniably among the most consistent and impactful in the squad.

Defensive Midfielder – Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Joshua Kimmich once again proved to be the heartbeat of Bayern Munich’s system in 2024–25, orchestrating play with unmatched control and consistency. He was involved in more open-play shot-ending sequences (259) than any other player in the Bundesliga, underlining his central role in the team’s attacking build-up.

With 3,933 touches—an astounding 816 more than the next closest player, Granit Xhaka—Kimmich set a new single-season Bundesliga record since detailed data tracking began in 2004–05. He also topped the charts in several other key passing metrics: most total passes (3,425), successful passes (3,183), and passes into the final third (536), firmly establishing himself as the league’s most prolific distributor.

However, Kimmich’s game wasn’t limited to recycling possession. His expected assists (xA) stood at 10.5—second only to team-mate Michael Olise (12.5)—highlighting his creative influence. That he ended the season with just six assists was more reflective of Bayern’s finishing than the quality of his service. He also ranked second in the Bundesliga for chances created (83), just behind Olise (91).

Defensively, Kimmich’s impact was just as significant. He recovered possession 190 times—more than any other Bayern player and bettered by only two players across the league.

In every sense, Kimmich was the engine of Bayern’s title-winning campaign, dictating the rhythm, creating chances, and maintaining control on both sides of the ball.

Attacking Midfielder – Vincenzo Grifo (Freiberg)

Freiburg were the surprise package of the 2024–25 Bundesliga season, securing a commendable fifth-place finish. Although they narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification—falling to Eintracht Frankfurt on the final day, who overtook them as a result—it was still a campaign to remember.

Central to their success was the ever-reliable Vincenzo Grifo. The experienced winger delivered eight goals and a career-best 11 assists, surpassing his previous high of 10 in 2020–21. That tally also set a new Freiburg record for most assists in a single Bundesliga season since records began in 2004–05.

Grifo was responsible for setting up 22% of Freiburg’s 49 league goals—the highest share by any player for their team across the division. A master from dead-ball situations, he notched four assists from set-pieces, placing him just behind Maximilian Arnold and Michael Olise (five each).

Beyond his assist numbers, Grifo consistently created danger. He averaged 2.4 chances per 90 minutes (min. 2,000 minutes), the fourth-best in the league behind Álex Grimaldo (2.5), Joshua Kimmich (2.6), and Olise (3.5). His 16 big chances created ranked him just behind Marvin Ducksch and Florian Wirtz (17 each) and well ahead of most Bundesliga creators, save for league leader Olise (32).

In what was a remarkable season for Freiburg, Grifo’s creativity, vision, and consistency ensured he remained one of the Bundesliga’s most influential attacking forces.

Attacking Midfielder – Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Florian Wirtz picked up right where he left off from Bayer Leverkusen’s triumphant 2023–24 season, delivering another outstanding campaign in 2024–25.

The creative midfielder tallied a career-high 12 assists—just one short of equalling the club’s Bundesliga record for a single season (since 2004–05). Only Bayern’s Michael Olise recorded more assists (15), but Wirtz led the league in open-play assists with all 12 coming from non-set-piece situations—a feat unmatched by any other player.

His connection with Patrik Schick was particularly influential. Wirtz set up seven of the striker’s 21 Bundesliga goals, making it the most prolific creator-scorer combination in the league this season.

But Wirtz wasn’t limited to being the provider. He chipped in with 10 goals himself, making 2024–25 his second consecutive Bundesliga season with double figures in both goals and assists. Since 2004–05, only Thomas Müller has managed to do that in more than one campaign among German players.

Whether Wirtz will have the chance to achieve that feat for a third straight season remains uncertain, with speculation of a move abroad swirling. If he does depart, it would mark the end of an era for Leverkusen—but one that showcased a generational talent at his peak.

Attacking Midfielder – Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich’s resurgence at the top of the Bundesliga can be attributed in large part to the sensational debut season of Michael Olise, whose impact was immediate and immense.

The French winger became only the second player since at least 2004–05 to register 12 or more goals (12) and assists (15) in his first Bundesliga campaign, matching the rare feat last achieved by Diego for Werder Bremen in 2006–07 (13 goals, 13 assists).

With 27 direct goal involvements, Olise trailed only team-mate Harry Kane (34) across the league. His 15 assists were the highest of any player in the Bundesliga this season, setting a new benchmark for a Bayern debutant in the modern data era.

Olise’s creative influence could’ve yielded even greater numbers if not for some wastefulness in front of goal from his teammates. He created 32 big chances—nearly double the next best tally (17)—setting a new Bundesliga record since data collection began in 2004–05, surpassing Thomas Müller’s previous high of 31 in 2019–20.

Overall, Olise fashioned 91 chances across the campaign, the most by any player in the division and clear evidence of his dominance as a playmaker.

In every respect, Olise proved to be a game-changing addition to Bayern’s squad—creative, decisive, and undeniably worth the investment.

Striker – Harry Kane (Bayern Munich)

Harry Kane delivered another outstanding season in 2024-25, becoming the first player in Bundesliga history to finish as the top scorer in each of his first two campaigns. He netted 26 goals this season—at least five more than any other player—and added eight assists, totaling 34 goal involvements, which was seven clear of every other competitor in Germany’s top flight.

Kane also achieved two lupenreiner hat-tricks—“perfect” hat-tricks defined in Germany as three consecutive, uninterrupted goals within one half—scoring against Stuttgart on Matchday 7 and Augsburg on Matchday 11. This feat made him the first Bayern player since Manni Burgsmüller in 1980-81 to record two lupenreiner hat-tricks in a single Bundesliga season, and only the second player to do so since Gerd Müller (who managed two in both 1969-70 and 1971-72).

Nine of Kane’s goals came from the penalty spot, second only to Paul Breitner’s record of 10 penalties in a single season (1980-81). He also scored three times from outside the box—the most from distance in the league this year.

Kane’s clutch performances were highlighted by six goals in the final 15 minutes of matches, the highest in the Bundesliga. This contributed to his league-leading total of 10 match-winning goals.

Having moved to Germany with the aim of ending his trophy drought, Kane’s instrumental role in Bayern’s title success made this season a fitting milestone in achieving that goal.

Striker – Serhou Guirassy (Borussia Dortmund)

After his impressive 28-goal haul for Stuttgart in 2023-24, Serhou Guirassy continued to shine in 2024-25, netting 21 times in his first Bundesliga season with Borussia Dortmund.

Guirassy ended the campaign as joint-second top scorer alongside Patrik Schick, behind only Harry Kane (26). When penalties are excluded, only Schick (20) outscored the Guinean’s 18 goals, with Guirassy leading the league in goals from open play at 17.

A key factor in his success was his knack for finding dangerous positions, boasting the highest non-penalty expected goals (xG) total in the Bundesliga at 19.8. He also recorded the best average shot quality in the league at 0.23 xG per non-penalty attempt (minimum 30 shots).

His aerial prowess contributed as well—five of his 17 headed shots (excluding blocks) found the net, giving him the best conversion rate (29%) among players with over 10 headed shots, while only Tim Kleindienst and Schick scored more headers overall (six each).

Guirassy’s form peaked in the second half of the season, when he scored a league-best 14 goals. His surge was crucial to Dortmund’s remarkable late charge for Champions League qualification, as they became just the second Bundesliga side in the three-points era to erase a 10-point deficit to fourth place after the halfway mark, following Bayer Leverkusen’s feat in 2018-19.

Read More: Ange Postecoglou Sacked by Tottenham Despite Europa League Glory as Daniel Levy Pulls the Plug

FAQs