Bayern Munich and Inter Milan: 40 years of World Cup final dominance

On 11 July 1982, at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, a streak began that is still in force 40 years later. It started, unbeknown to us at the time, as both Bayern Munich and Inter Milan were represented in the final of the FIFA World Cup in Spain, and has continued to the current edition in 2022 as Argentina face France for the ultimate prize.

From Spain ‘82 to Qatar ‘22: Bayern and Inter finalists

On that first occasion, Italy defeated West Germany 3-1, the Bavarians bringing Paul Breitner, Wolfgang Dremmier and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, while the Nerazzurri had Gianpiero Marini, Ivan Bordon, Gabrielle Orialli and Alessandro Altobelli. In Qatar 2022, Inter’s Lautaro Martínez will almost certainly play for La Albiceleste while Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano, Benjamin Pavard and Lucas Hernandez will likely represent the French team.

Interestingly, we could have written this piece as soon as the quarter finals were concluded, given that had Argentina lost to Croatia Lautaro’s club teammate Brozovic would have turned out for the Europeans in the final. If Morocco had won the other semi-final Mazraoui would have appeared instead of the three Frenchmen plying their trade in the Bundesliga.

The roles of the different players in Qatar has been rather contrasting. Lautaro started the World Cup as the undisputed starter with the Albiceleste, but a lack of form and the strong performance of Manchester City’s Julián Álvarez have relegated him to the Argentine bench. For France, the Bayern trio have played their part. Upamecano is the starting center-back, despite having to miss the semi-final win due to flu, while Pavard gave up the right-back position to Jules Koundé during the tournament. Lucas Hernández has been the least used but they all remain a part of the squad striving for a place in the history books.

Bayern and Inter finalists since 1982