Top 5 Players Who Have Played For Barcelona and Bayern Munich

La Liga giants Barcelona and Bundesliga powerhouse Bayern Munich are two of the most successful teams in Europe. They boast a rich history, a thriving present, and a bright future, all thanks to their brilliant recruitment policies and world-class academies. Joining either club is a massive achievement in itself, but playing for both takes something extra special.

Over the years, only 10 players have managed to represent both Barcelona and Bayern Munich. Ahead of their meeting on Matchday 3 of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League season, we will take a look at the top five stars who have played and shone for these European juggernauts. Let’s begin!

#5 Philippe Coutinho

Brazilian attacking midfielder Philippe Coutinho signed for Barcelona from Liverpool in a massive €135 million ($145.8 million) move in January 2018. He was meant to slot into the hole Neymar left behind, but it did not pan out that way. He could not prove himself in his first one-and-a-half seasons at Barcelona, leading to a one-year loan spell at Bayern Munich.

During the 2019-20 season, Coutinho produced some impressive performances, chipping in with 11 goals and nine assists in 38 games across competitions. Two of his goals came in Bayern’s 8-2 routing of Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. Having won the Treble with Bayern, Coutinho returned to Barcelona in the summer of 2020. He spent the following 18 months at the club but could not become an integral part of the team. In January 2022, he transferred to Aston Villa on loan before joining them permanently in a €20 million ($21.6 million) move the following summer.

During his disappointing Barcelona spell, Coutinho played 106 games in all competitions, scoring 25 goals and providing 14 assists. He won two La Liga titles, two Copas del Rey, and one Supercopa de Espana with the Blaugrana.

#4 Mark van Bommel

Former Dutch central midfielder Mark van Bommel joined Barcelona as a free agent in July 2005. The four-time Dutch champion did well in his debut season at Camp Nou, chipping in with four goals and nine assists in 38 games in all competitions. He helped the Blaugran win the La Liga title, the UEFA Champions League trophy, and the Supercopa de Espana in the 2005-06 season.

Van Bommel’s impressive showings made him a transfer target for Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. In the summer of 2006, the Bavarians tabled an offer for him and Van Bommel pushed for the move. Barcelona accepted a €6 million ($6.5 million) bid for the player.

Van Bommel fine five-season spell at Bayern Munich, during which he played 187 matches and chipped in with 16 goals and 20 assists. His performances helped Bayern win two Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokals, and two DFL-Supercups.

#3 Arturo Vidal

The picture of aggression and doggedness, Arturo Vidal joined Bayern Munich from Juventus in a sizable €39.25 ($42.4 million) million deal in the summer of 2015. Having helped Juventus win four Serie A titles in as many years, Vidal joined Bayern with a massive reputation. And it is safe to say that he lived up to it.

The Chilean showcased his versatility throughout his three-year stint at Bayern, slotting in wherever his managers wanted him to. He also chipped in with quite a few goals during his stay, helping Bayern seal important victories. Before departing for Barcelona in August 2018, Vidal played 124 games for Bayern, scoring 22 times and providing 17 assists. He won three Bundesliga titles, one DFB Pokal, and two DFL-Supercups at Bayern.

Vidal’s Barcelona stint lasted for only a couple of years, but he certainly made them count. His excellent work rate made him a fixture in the starting XI, allowing him to clock 96 appearances across the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons. Vidal made himself quite useful in the final third, scoring 11 times and providing 11 assists. His performances helped Barcelona to one La Liga title and one Supercopa de Espana.

#2 Thiago Alcantara

After coming through Barcelona’s La Masia academy, Thiago Alcantara earned his first professional contract in July 2011. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan for Thiago. He struggled to keep himself fit and did not get enough opportunities in the company of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. So after scoring 11 goals and providing 20 assists in 100 appearances in all competitions, Thiago set out for a new challenge, joining Bayern Munich in a move worth €25 million ($27 million) in the summer of 2013.

The former Spain international enjoyed a trophy-laden seven-season stint at the Allianz Arena. He played 235 games for the club in all competitions, scoring 31 times and providing 37 assists. He would have easily crossed the 300-game mark had he not been so unlucky with injuries. The 33-year-old, who retired earlier this year, won 17 trophies with Bayern, including seven Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy.

#1 Robert Lewandowski

One of the best strikers of the 21st century, Robert Lewandowski, joined Bayern Munich as a free agent ahead of the 2014-15 season. He spent nine seasons in Bavaria, scoring 344 goals and providing 73 assists in 375 games, emerging as the club’s second-highest scorer of all time. Lewandowski, who secured two European Golden Shoes during his time with Bayern Munich, helped the club to a total of 18 accolades, including eight Bundesliga titles and one UEFA Champions League trophy.

Having won it all in Bavaria, Lewandowski joined Barcelona in a €45 million ($48.6 million) move in July 2022. He hit the ground running in Catalonia, scoring 23 goals in 34 La Liga games, helping Barcelona to the La Liga title in his debut season. Lewandowski could not hit the same heights last season, but he is showing a lot of promise this time, netting 14 times already in 12 games across competitions. Overall, Lewandowski has played 107 games for Barca, scoring 73 goals and providing 19 assists.