Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#13. Philipp Lahm’s Book.
Sometimes football players just need to sit down, shut up, and kick balls in to the back of nets, especially when they haven’t even retired yet. This rule doesn’t apply to Philipp Lahm, of course. The tiny, headstrong, Napoleon reincarnate released his book, “The Fine Difference: How to Become a Top Player Today” in August of 2011 and everybody and their mother promptly had a cow. Felix Magath, who was mentioned in the book, threw small children out of windows a la Madame Trunchbull shortly after the launch. Rudi Völler lauded Lahm for his “lack of decency,” though that was a case of pot meeting the kettle. The book was especially critical of USMNT coach Jürgen Klinsmann and for that reason it has earned a spot in our list. The hype around Lahm’s book died down shortly after it’s release. I don’t see the big deal. We have a football player that can read and write. I’m not sure Ashley Cole even knows his right from his left. Keep on keepin’ on, Captain.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#14. Manuel Neuer’s Boot Allegiance
Though the may be pushed on by sponsors, boots say a lot about a player. Thomas Müller received a pair for Adidas the color of the Bavarian flag with his wife’s name stitched on the side. Bastian Schweinsteiger has the German flag and his girlfriend’s name stitched on the side. But what about Manuel Neuer? Aside from the name Wuppie stitched on the side, there’s not much more to look at - BUT WAIT A MINUTE. Whether this was Adidas’ fault or not, Manuel Neuer changed his boots just about every month during the season. We here at Rekordmeister like to see the color of Manu’s boots as a symbol of his allegiance. He began the season with blue shoes, something even Bastian Schweinsteiger pointed out. He then graduated to a white shoe with purple accents, something we saw as a blending of Schalke Blue and Bayern red. Then came a black and orange shoe, just in time for Halloween. Neuer ended the season with a boot that very closely resembles Bastian Schweinsteiger’s own. With these boots, I think it’s safe to say Neuer has embraced being Bavarian.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#15. The Next FCB Star Facebook App.
Just as the winter transfer window was coming to a close, Bayern announced on their website that they had signed a “bomb” striker and would unveil the new signing on a stream from their facebook page. This sent Goal.com writers in to a frenzy, emerging out of their of their mothers basements for the first time in weeks to make long distant calls to find out just who this new signing was. Well, for Bayern fans and foes, April Fools came a bit early. Instead of revealing a new striker, much to the dismay of journalists, Bayern launched a Facebook app, that can be accessed here, that puts YOU, the fan, in to the shoes of a professional. The app offers videos, pictures, and even a forum for you to interact with the million other #8’s. No other club has released something like it and for this reason the Next FCB Star App has found a place in our list.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#16. Holger Badstuber’s Pepperoni Nipples.
When you think of Germany and Bavaria, the first thing that comes to mind, aside from our beautiful team, is probably sausage. Holger Badstuber embodies Germany, Bavaria, and sausage. He just so happens to have nipples the size of pepperonis! We didn’t see these bad boys often this season, but when we did, boy was it a treat for the whole family! Here’s to another season of dramatic wins and dramatic stripping. We wanna see your sausages, Holger!
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#17. Takashi Usami’s Interpreter.
If there’s one player we could have seen more this season, it is hands down Takashi Usami. On loan from Gamba Osaka, Usami managed to play a whopping 195 minutes this season. But wherever Usami went, his interpreterwent. Even during training. This guy, though we do not know his name, could probably have thrown a jersey on and played in Usami’s spot during a few Bundesliga matches and no one would be the wiser. We want to thank this interpreter for his hard work this season. There has been no word if he will transfer to Hoffenheim alongside Usami, but we do wish him the best of luck in all his future translating endeavors.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#18. Jupp Heynckes’ Shifty Eyes.
Every coach has their quirk. Louis van Gaal likes to drop his pants, Jose Mourinho likes to take piggy back rides, and Marcelo Bielsa once tortured himself by watching 80 videos of Schalke 04. But Jupp? He just avoids eye contact. Always. In his interviews, Heynckes likes to look to the right and then to the left, eyebrows slightly raised. His cheeks also tend to turn a solid brick red color. Oh dear, dear coach. Psychologists would say Jupp has trust issues, or he’s lying. We just think his eyes have a mind of their own.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#19. Bastian’s Buzz Cut.
When you player for Bayern, your hair is just as important as your ability on the pitch. Gomez’s peacock, Pranjic’s oiled locks, and Tymo’s Dakota Fanning look are all memorable, but none mean as much as Herr Schweinsteiger’s buzz cut. To the shock and horror of many fans, Bastian shaved his head in October. Why would he do this, they cried. He was looking so great, they screamed. But there was a method to Bastian’s madness. With the first match against Manchester City looming, he sacrificed his golden locks and the two seconds saved in front of the mirror were spent on the pitch. This, however, did not stop Mario Gomez from giving Bastian the nickname “David Beckham.”
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#20. Tymo’s Twitter Account.
As a fan, there’s nothing quite like seeing what the players are up to off the pitch. This season, Tymo gave us a sneak peak of Ribery in Lederhosen, personal pictures from a Federer tennis match, and a view of the snow at Säbener Straße. Even though halfway through the season rules were implemented to block Ukraine’s Best Player Ever from tweeting about his adventures in Munich, Tymo still managed to bring a smile to our a faces with the above picture. Tweet on, Tymo!
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#21. That Ball.
Playing Köln is always an experience, and last December’s match was no different. Though the now-relegated side decided to play the final match of the Hinrunde with 9 defenders and Podolski, that didn’t stop the boys in red from having their fun. Daniel van Buyten even had a blast…..of the ball! When the Belgian Bull stepped up to take a free kick, the ball ricocheted off a defender and exploded! Arjen Robben laughed (a rarity), kicked the ball to the cheering fans, and Bayern went on to win the match 3-0. Köln went on to relegate, with no help from the Smoke Monster. No word on where the ball is today.
Rekordmeister’s Top 25 Players of the Season 2011-2012
#22. Sergio Ramos.
Was there a single player more key to Bayern’s win over Madrid in the semi-finals of the Champions League? Absolutely. But, man. What a guy. Let me take you back. Penalties are scored, saved, and missed. Mr. Ramos steps up, and sends the ball in to orbit. His miss and Bastian Schweinsteiger’s goal sent Bayern in to the finale. Muchas Gracias, Sergio!
