Less than 12 months after making his professional debut, Aleksandar Pavlovic has emerged as a key player at one of the world’s biggest clubs. Here, FIFA charts the inexorable rise of Bayern Munich’s exceptional 20-year-old midfielder.

The story so far
Pavlovic was born in Munich in 2004 to a Serbian father and German mother. After a brief spell at local club SC Furstenfeldbruck, he was spotted by one of Bayern Munich’s scouts during an indoor tournament in 2011 and offered a place at the club’s youth academy.

It is at this point that his journey to the top really started to gather speed. The midfielder progressed through every level of Bayern’s youth system and featured as a ballboy at home games during his time in the older age groups, as is customary for emerging talents.

Pavlovic can be seen playing this exact role in several YouTube videos, including one in which a wildly gesticulating Thomas Muller urges him to return the ball immediately so that he can take a quick throw-in. Pavlovic is now pulling the strings out on the pitch for the Bayern first team, with club legend Muller as a team-mate.

Less than 12 months after making his professional debut, Aleksandar Pavlovic has emerged as a key player at one of the world’s biggest clubs. Here, FIFA charts the inexorable rise of Bayern Munich’s exceptional 20-year-old midfielder.

The story so far
Pavlovic was born in Munich in 2004 to a Serbian father and German mother. After a brief spell at local club SC Furstenfeldbruck, he was spotted by one of Bayern Munich’s scouts during an indoor tournament in 2011 and offered a place at the club’s youth academy.

It is at this point that his journey to the top really started to gather speed. The midfielder progressed through every level of Bayern’s youth system and featured as a ballboy at home games during his time in the older age groups, as is customary for emerging talents.

Pavlovic can be seen playing this exact role in several YouTube videos, including one in which a wildly gesticulating Thomas Muller urges him to return the ball immediately so that he can take a quick throw-in. Pavlovic is now pulling the strings out on the pitch for the Bayern first team, with club legend Muller as a team-mate.

Pavlovic made his full professional debut when Thomas Tuchel brought him on as a substitute in a Bundesliga game against Darmstadt in October 2023. He went on to make 25 Bayern appearances in 2023/24, scoring twice and providing two assists. His impressive development has seen him become a regular starter in a Bayern side now coached by Vincent Kompany.

Pavlovic has also broken into the senior Germany squad, and made his bow in a 0-0 draw with Ukraine in June 2024.

Playing style
When recently asked how he would describe himself as a player, Pavlovic replied: “I just do my thing.” He appears to be uninterested in labels such as “the natural successor to Toni Kroos” and is instead completely focused on forging his own path.

Despite his tender years, he is a mature and self-assured presence in the middle of the park. The way he demands the ball, communicates with his team-mates and refuses to be discouraged when he makes a mistake is remarkable for a player of his age. Pavlovic seems perfectly positioned to join the illustrious ranks of Bayern academy graduates – such as Muller, Philipp Lahm and Bastian Schweinsteiger – who have made it to the pinnacle of the sport.

It is also clear that he is not yet close to reaching his full potential. Each time he steps out at Allianz Arena, his experience continues to grow. Pavlovic is now regularly creating chances for his team-mates, utilising his ability to win possession, take the initiative and inject pace into the game. This is just one reason why he has been preferred to Joao Palhinha – a man who cost Bayern more than €۵۰ million and predominantly plays in a more traditional and defensively-minded No6 role.

While the Portuguese midfielder will undoubtedly get plenty of chances to play a part in Bayern’s success, Kompany is currently focused on a higher-risk, high-pressing style of play that seems tailor-made for Pavlovic.

What they’ve said about Pavlovic…
“Alexandar Pavlovic is one of those players who gets better every day. He will play a very important role in German football in the future. I’m very excited to be able to work with him.”
Vincent Kompany, Bayern Munich coach

“He’s a great player and a great person. He’s such a brave footballer full of good ideas. He embodies so much of what I want to see in a No6, like strength, confidence on the ball and an ability to read the game.”
Julian Nagelsmann, Germany coach

“I love the way he plays. He can work hard and always has his head up. He has a good touch and never lets himself get discouraged. Aleks is a proper footballer. He can run and he can battle”
Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich forward

“Aleks is a clever and very strategic player. He is totally aware of everything he is doing. He works so hard and is a great guy.”
Thomas Tuchel, former Bayern Munich coach

“Aleksandar Pavlovic is the ideal player for us – and for Bayern Munich fans. He looks set to become the future face of our club.”
Max Eberl, Bayern Munich sporting director

“He’s a Munich boy born and bred who made it into the Bayern first team. Our fans dream of stories like that becoming a reality, and that’s exactly what’s happening at our club.”
Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern Munich CEO

“I’m a big fan of Aleks, who’s playing with total freedom right now. He’s so positive and down-to-earth.”
Leon Goretzka, Bayern Munich midfielder

“He wants every ball and is an absolute team player. We need lads like that, as they make playing fun.”
Joshua Kimmich, Bayern Munich midfielder