Christian Günter, Oliver Baummann, Thomas Müller: Pushing for a record
18th place – FC Augsburg: Daniel Baier (355 appearances)
Baier was once celebrated as Augsburg's record appearance holder, but today, due to his position at RB Leipzig, he's no longer a welcome guest at the WWK Arena. During his last visit, the active fan scene displayed a banner reading: "Your character fits the artificial construct. Shame on you, Dani Baier!"
17th place – Union Berlin: Christopher Trimmel (371 appearances)
The Austrian-born player spent five years in the second division and another seven in the first division at the Alte Försterei stadium. He is the face of Union's rise and has already achieved legendary status. How much longer he will continue to rack up appearances is unknown, as his contract was only extended indefinitely last April.
16th place – 1.FSV Mainz 05: Dimo Wache (406 appearances)
Despite undergoing 36 operations during his career, the honorary captain of Mainz made 406 appearances. The goalkeeper achieved promotion to the Bundesliga under Jürgen Klopp and even reached the UEFA Cup. After 15 years with Mainz 05, he ended his playing career following a partial patellar tendon tear, after which he worked as a goalkeeping coach.
15th place – TSG 1899 Hoffenheim: Oliver Baumann (415 appearances)
For over 400 matches, Oliver Baumann has indulged his penchant for high-visibility jerseys. Even before his move to TSG Hoffenheim, the national team goalkeeper had already amassed 147 appearances for SC Freiburg. Imagine where he would have ended up if he had stayed there… in fifth place.
14th place – RB Leipzig: Yussuf Poulsen (425 appearances)
Once a Red Bull, (almost) always a Red Bull. Yussuf Poulsen holds ten club records at RB Leipzig, including most years at the club (12 years), record goalscorer in the DFB Cup (14 goals) and record goalscorer in the second division (18 goals).
13th place – SC Freiburg: Christian Günter (441 appearances)
There was a real celebration in Freiburg last weekend. Freiburg's new record appearance holder, Christian "Günni" Günter, who surpassed Andreas Zeyer, provided the reason to celebrate. He marked his 441st appearance with the Freiburg supporters and treated them to 5,440 liters of beer and non-alcoholic drinks.
Arne Amberg / STEINSIEK.CH / IMAGO
12th place – Borussia Dortmund: Roman Weidenfeller (453 appearances)
Both the TV series "Das Traumschiff" (episode 86) and Borussia Dortmund made a major signing with the acquisition of Roman Weidenfeller. Sixteen years after joining on a free transfer from Kaiserslautern, Weidenfeller ended his career as Borussia Dortmund's record appearance holder, having won the World Cup, the German championship twice, and the German Cup twice.
11th place – VfL Wolfsburg: Maximilian Arnold (459 appearances)
Maximilian Arnold has always been a staunch supporter of VfL Wolfsburg, and that's not going to change anytime soon, as his contract was recently extended until 2028. In his Instagram bio, the team leader reveals his secret to consistently playing time: "#workhardplayhard," he writes.
10th place – VfB Stuttgart: Hermann Ohlicher (460 appearances)
The now 76-year-old won the German championship with VfB Stuttgart in 1984. He scored 157 goals across all competitions while wearing the club's crest.
9th place – 1.FC Heidenheim 1846: Marc Schnatterer (461 appearances)
From the Regionalliga Süd (fourth tier), Schnatterer led 1. FC Heidenheim to the Bundesliga promotion playoffs. They failed to secure promotion in the 2019/20 season, meaning Schnatterer never played in the top flight. He recently completed his UEFA A coaching license, so it's highly likely he'll be back in Heidenheim soon.
8th place – FC St. Pauli: Jürgen Gronau (476 appearances)
The defensive midfielder and libero played for FC St. Pauli for 24 years and experienced the club's resurgence firsthand. He only left his beloved club to wind down his career.
7th place – Bayer 04 Leverkusen: Rüdiger Vollborn (487 appearances)
In an interview with 11FREUNDE, Vollborn cited several reasons that bind a player to a club. One of them: suffering. "More than the 1988 UEFA Cup victory, it was a period of suffering that brought me closer to the club."
6th place – Borussia Mönchengladbach: Berti Vogts (538 appearances)
Hans-Hubert "Berti" Vogt's trophy cabinet should be quite full after 24 years at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Five German championships, one cup win and two UEFA Cup wins are among Vogt's achievements.
5th place – 1. FC Köln: Toni Schumacher / Wolfgang Overath (542 appearances each)
Cologne played 110 matches with Schumacher in goal and Overath in midfield. Both spent 15 years at 1. FC Köln, five of which they were under contract simultaneously. During this time, both won the German championship once, but Schumacher won the German Cup more often than Overath.
4th place – Werder Bremen: Dieter Burdenski (582 appearances)
Burdenski, born in Bremen, moved to Schalke 04 at the age of 15. After a stint at Arminia Bielefeld, he found his happiness in Bremen, where he ended his career after 16 years with the Green-Whites.
3rd place – Eintracht Frankfurt: Karl-Heinz Körbel (731 appearances)
Together with Jürgen Grabowski and Bernd Hölzenbein, "Charly" Körbel was one of the idols of an Eintracht generation. He won the German Cup four times and the UEFA Cup in 1979/80.
2nd place – Hamburger SV: Manfred Kaltz (741 appearances)
The inventor of the banana kick wore the red shorts 741 times. "Manni crosses, I head it, goal," is how Horst Hrubesch summed up HSV's recipe for success. Aside from the banana kick, Kaltz's specialty was the penalty kick. He scored 53 goals from 60 attempts, making him the player with the most converted penalties in Bundesliga history.
1st place – FC Bayern Munich: Thomas Müller (756 appearances)
Naturally, the record champions hired the player with the most appearances for a Bundesliga team. In 2000, Thomas Müller joined Bayern's youth academy. 25 years, 13 German championships, six DFB Cup wins, and two Champions League titles later, he left Bayern again, and in typical Müller fashion – with a joke.
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