Bayern Munich have won five men’s Ballon d’Or awards through three players: Gerd Müller in 1970, Franz Beckenbauer in 1972 and 1976, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1980 and 1981.
Beckenbauer and Rummenigge share Bayern’s record with two wins each. The list below counts each award for the club the player represented when the Ballon d’Or was presented. For the complete history of the award, see our Ballon d’Or winners list.
Bayern Munich Ballon d’Or Winners List
| Award year | Winner | Nationality |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Gerd Müller | West Germany |
| 1972 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany |
| 1976 | Franz Beckenbauer | West Germany |
| 1980 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany |
| 1981 | Karl-Heinz Rummenigge | West Germany |
How we count: Each award is credited to the club the player represented when the Ballon d’Or was presented.
The table uses award years, not football seasons, and lists the players’ nationalities at the time.
Only the men’s Ballon d’Or is included; the Ballon d’Or Féminin and other individual awards are excluded.
Runners-up are not counted, and the cancelled 2020 edition is omitted.
Every Bayern Munich Ballon d’Or Winner Explained
Gerd Müller — 1970
Gerd Müller stands as one of football’s most prolific penalty-area strikers. His 1970 Ballon d’Or made him the first West German and the first Bayern Munich player to win the award.
That year he finished as top scorer at the World Cup in Mexico with ten goals.
For Bayern Munich, Müller scored 566 goals in 607 competitive appearances. He also scored 68 goals in 62 internationals for West Germany.
In 1971/72 he scored 40 Bundesliga goals. That single-season record stood until Robert Lewandowski scored 41 in 2020/21.
Müller was also central to the Bayern side that won three straight European Cups from 1974 to 1976. He scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1974 World Cup final.
Franz Beckenbauer — 1972 and 1976
Franz Beckenbauer won the Ballon d’Or in 1972 and 1976 while playing for Bayern Munich. Known for his role as a sweeper, he combined defensive responsibility with the ability to build attacks from the back.
His first award came in 1972, the year West Germany won the European Championship and Bayern won the Bundesliga. He collected his second Ballon d’Or in 1976, after Bayern defeated Saint-Étienne in the European Cup final.
Beckenbauer captained Bayern during their run of three consecutive European Cup titles from 1974 to 1976. That success established the club among Europe’s leading sides.
His two Ballon d’Or victories make him one of Bayern’s most decorated individual award winners. He left the club for the New York Cosmos in 1977.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge — 1980 and 1981
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge joined Bayern Munich in 1974 from Borussia Lippstadt and developed into one of Europe’s leading forwards.
He won the Ballon d’Or in 1980 and 1981, becoming the second Bayern player after Beckenbauer to claim the award twice. His individual success coincided with Bayern winning consecutive Bundesliga titles in 1979/80 and 1980/81.
Rummenigge finished as the Bundesliga’s top scorer in both championship seasons, recording 26 goals in 1979/80 and 29 in 1980/81. He was also part of West Germany’s squad that won the 1980 European Championship and later played in the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals.
He left Bayern for Inter Milan in 1984. His two Ballon d’Or victories place him level with Beckenbauer for the club record.
Which Bayern Munich Player Has Won the Most Ballon d’Or Awards?
Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge share Bayern Munich’s record with two Ballon d’Or wins each. Beckenbauer won in 1972 and 1976, while Rummenigge claimed consecutive awards in 1980 and 1981. Gerd Müller’s 1970 victory completes the club’s five winning editions.
How Many Ballon d’Or Awards Has Bayern Munich Won?
Bayern Munich have won five men’s Ballon d’Or awards through three players. For a comparison with other clubs, see our guide to football clubs with the most Ballon d’Or wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Ballon d’Or Awards Has Bayern Munich Won?
Bayern Munich have won five men’s Ballon d’Or awards: one for Gerd Müller, two for Franz Beckenbauer and two for Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Which Bayern Munich players have won the Ballon d’Or?
Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have won the men’s Ballon d’Or while representing Bayern Munich.
Who has won the most Ballon d’Or awards at Bayern Munich?
Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge share the record with two wins each.
When did Gerd Müller win the Ballon d’Or?
Gerd Müller won the 1970 Ballon d’Or.
When was the last time a Bayern Munich player won the Ballon d’Or?
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was the last Bayern Munich player to win the Ballon d’Or, receiving the award in 1981.
Conclusion
Bayern Munich’s five Ballon d’Or victories belong to Gerd Müller, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Müller opened the club’s record in 1970, while Beckenbauer and Rummenigge each won twice. Explore the complete history in our Ballon d’Or winners list.
