Champions League

Breitner: “Real Madrid is the most respected European team in Germany”

A legend of Bayern Munich and German football in the 70s and 80s, he was the first player to move from the Munich club to Real Madrid in 1974.

EDUARDO CANDEL | DIARIO AS

David Alonso

Update: Apr 4th, 2026 07:22 EDT

There are very few figures in German soccer as iconic as Paul Breitner (born in Kolbermoor, 1951). A World Cup and European champion with West Germany, one of only five players ever to score in two different World Cup finals, runner‑up for the 1981 Ballon d’Or behind Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and ahead of Bernd Schuster, and the first player to make the jump from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid back in 1974.

Originally a full-back before transitioning into midfield, Breitner was pure energy and class. He spent ten years in Bayern red and three in Madrid white. A rebellious icon deeply involved in social causes, he still follows the game passionately — and insists he can’t lose in the upcoming showdown between his two former clubs.

“How’s your Spanish these days?”

“Not great — I don’t get to practice much. But I try to keep enough vocabulary to hold a conversation now and then, like today. Let’s speak your language; I’m sure you’ll understand me just fine.”

“What are you up to now?”

“Fortunately, I’m healthy and still follow soccer from a distance. I spent ten years traveling the world as a Bayern ambassador, but that’s behind me now. I live in my longtime home in Bavaria, just outside Munich, and I can honestly say I’m happy.”

“What do you expect from this matchup between your former teams?”

“The only thing I know for sure is that I’m going to win no matter what happens,” he laughs. “I’ll be happy either way because I have enormous affection for both clubs. Yes, I spent more time at Bayern, but my heart is split 50–50. No result will make me sad.”

“Do you see Bayern as the stronger side?”

“I don’t watch every Real Madrid match — mostly TV highlights — but I can say this is the strongest Bayern team in years. They’ve reinforced well, the squad is deeper, more technical, more dangerous, with more ways to hurt you.”

Olise, Kane and Diaz form a spectacular attacking machine."
Paul Breitner, exjugador del Bayern y del Real Madrid.

“What’s their biggest threat?”

“It depends on the day, but I’d say their attacking power. What Olise, Kane, and Díaz do week after week is incredible. They’re sensational. They form a spectacular attacking machine, and that’s Bayern’s biggest weapon. Madrid will have to defend extremely well to contain that.”

“Do you prefer the Olise‑Kane duo or the Mbappé‑Vinicius pairing?”

“In terms of form, I’d call it a draw — though I don’t love comparisons. They’re probably the two best attacking duos in world soccer right now. But since Kompany usually plays with a front three and Madrid with two, I’ll say Bayern’s trident is the best attack in the game today.”

“Is Real Madrid the most respected European club in Germany?”

“Absolutely. By a wide margin over Barcelona and everyone else. It’s incomparable. I always say Madrid is a star above the entire football universe.”

We know what Real Madrid is capable of, and nobody here is taking anything for granted. It’s going to be a fantastic tie."
Paul Breitner, exjugador del Bayern y del Real Madrid.

“You only spent three years in Madrid. Are you still a Madridista?”

“With all my heart. It wasn’t a long spell, but it marked me deeply, and that stays with you forever. In my case, the cliché about having a divided heart is completely true.”

“What’s the mood like in Bavaria ahead of these two games?”

“The excitement is enormous. People have huge confidence in the team because of their current form. But everyone here also knows what Real Madrid is — nobody takes them lightly. It’s going to be a spectacular tie.”

“Is playing the second leg in Germany an advantage for Bayern?”

“Not at all. I always preferred playing the first leg at home. If you get a good result, all the pressure shifts to the opponent, who has to attack and leave space. That’s how I see it.”

When someone like Kroos leaves, you have to find the best way to replace him."
Paul Breitner, exjugador del Bayern y del Real Madrid.

“Did you expect Manchester City to be eliminated?”

“I wouldn’t go that far. Most people saw them as favorites, but this City isn’t the same as three or four years ago. Their level has dropped, they’ve lost some brilliance, and Madrid — with their competitive spirit — took advantage despite missing key players.”

“Why do you think Xabi Alonso didn’t succeed?”

“I have no idea. Xabi proved he was a fantastic player and a great coach in Germany, but I don’t know the details or follow the club closely enough to give a serious opinion.”

“Is anyone capable of replacing Toni Kroos?”

“No one plays like Toni did with his unique qualities. When someone like that leaves, you have to find a different type of player who can be just as effective in his own way.”

Breitner: “Real Madrid is the most respected European team in Germany” — Breitner in the Madrid derby

“You were booed in Munich during the 1976 European Cup semifinals. How do you remember that?”

“It was strange, but logical. I left for Madrid in 1974 and said I’d never return to Bayern. The fans turned against me for that. There was no affection left when I came back, and I understood completely. Life eventually brought me back to the club, and I regained the fans’ love. But I do regret one thing…”

“Go on…”

“We drew 1–1 at the Bernabéu and lost 2–0 in Munich. I was injured and could only give about 70 percent, but I insisted on playing to show why I was a Real Madrid player and to defend the club’s pride. I couldn’t contribute like I normally did, and afterward I realized it was foolish. I shouldn’t have told the coach (Miljanić) that I was ready. I still regret it.”

“The day before, you invited the entire team to your house?”

“Yes. We threw a big Spanish-style party at my place. I loved seeing my teammates enjoy themselves — and Don Santiago Bernabéu too. He was a very special man, the only truly wise person I’ve ever met.”

“Did you feel devotion toward him?”

“Absolutely. He was like a father to me and my family. He and his wife, Doña María, treated us wonderfully. My wife and I still talk about our years in Madrid with great emotion. It was a fantastic time — maybe the three most beautiful years of my life.”

“So why did you leave?”

“Because life was too easy, and I didn’t have much to do besides soccer.”

“Come again?”

“Yes. I was incredibly happy, but I had too much free time. I couldn’t pursue other activities or business ventures. I’ve always been restless — I needed to be busier. Picking up the kids from school and going to the park wasn’t enough for me. I got bored, and after my second year I started thinking it was better to leave.”

“And you left after the third…”

“Agustín Domínguez, the club’s general secretary at the time, offered me a four‑year extension and told me how important I was. I thought about it for a few weeks and decided to go so I could do other things with my life. It may sound strange because Madrid treated us incredibly well. My teammates and the club staff were wonderful. It was a dream period — but I left out of boredom. I wasn’t someone who could just play soccer and nothing else. My memories are beautiful.”

“Years later, Kroos did something similar…”

“Yes, but mine is more impressive — Toni stayed a decade and I only stayed three years,” he laughs. “It’s very hard to leave Madrid when you’re that happy, but I had to. My personality pushed me to do it.”

“You’ve always been very liberal and socially engaged. What worries you today?”

“Beyond wars and conflicts, I’m deeply troubled by how the internet has taken over the world. And now artificial intelligence is coming — and I find it terrifying.”

“Will you come to Madrid?”

“I won’t be able to, but I’ll wait to see the team when they visit my city. It’ll be a great show, and I’ll be happy no matter what happens.”