World-class talent will abound Tuesday night as European heavyweights FC Bayern and AC Milan go head-to-head in a marquee International Champions Cup showdown at Children’s Mercy Park. Tickets for the 8 p.m. CT matchup remain available at Ticketmaster.com as two of the most storied clubs in the world lock horns in Kansas City, Kansas.
From World Cup winners and trophy-laden veterans to rising stars, miserly goalkeepers and prolific attackers, Tuesday’s contest will feature some of the sport’s greatest players. In the space below, and in no particular order, we highlight 10 elite performers who could take field Tuesday—all of whom are on the preseason squads for either FC Bayern or AC Milan.
- TICKETS: FC Bayern vs. AC Milan in Kansas City
- READ: FC Bayern announce preseason squad for ICC
- READ: AC Milan announce preseason squad for ICC
Robert Lewandowski – FC Bayern forward (age 30)
Widely considered one of the greatest strikers on the planet, Lewandowski is a serial goal scorer. The Polish superstar has bagged 191 goals in 242 games across five seasons with FC Bayern and has finished atop the Bundesliga scoring charts four times since 2014.
Thomas Muller – FC Bayern forward (age 29)
The 2014 FIFA World Cup winner joined Bayern’s Academy at age 11 before blossoming into an integral part of the first team. The 29-year-old has amassed a remarkable 185 goals in 485 matches for Bayern in addition to notching 38 goals in 100 caps for Germany.
Manuel Neuer – FC Bayern goalkeeper (age 33)
The colossus credited with perfecting the “keeper sweeper” wears the captain’s armband and earned IFFHS World’s Best Goalkeeper recognition every year from 2013-2016. The 6-foot-4 Neuer is a walking legend who has enjoyed copious amounts of success with Germany and FC Bayern over the last decade.
Benjamin Pavard – FC Bayern defender (age 23)
One of the world’s best right backs, Pavard had a coming-out party at the 2018 FIFA World Cup when his stunning golazo spurred France past Argentina and ultimately helped Les Bleus capture the title. Still only 23 years old, Pavard arrives at FC Bayern this offseason after spending each of the last three seasons with VfB Stuttgart.
Joshua Kimmich – FC Bayern defender (age 24)
In many ways, Kimmich is German legend Philipp Lahm reincarnated. The diminutive 24-year-old boasts exceptional versatility, capable of excelling in the midfield and along the backline. Kimmich played every minute of the 2018-19 Bundesliga season and finished second in the league with 13 assists.
Leon Goretzka – FC Bayern midfielder (age 24)
The 24-year-old Goretzka made a real name for himself at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, where he propelled Germany to the title and landed both Bronze Ball and Silver Boot awards at the tournament. The indefatigable midfielder made a high-profile move from Schalke to Bayern a year ago and scored nine goals in 42 appearances during his first season in Bavaria.
Kingsley Coman – FC Bayern forward (age 23)
The France national team’s player pool is loaded to such a degree that Coman, whose quality is undeniable, was omitted from the 2018 World Cup squad. Nevertheless, the pacey winger has game-changing abilities and bagged 10 goals across 30 appearances for Bayern last season.
Gianluigi Donnarumma – AC Milan goalkeeper (age 20)
The 6-foot-5 Donnarumma has logged 164 appearances for AC Milan and 12 caps for Italy—and he’s only 20 years old. Indeed, Donnarumma is touted as perhaps the best young goalkeeper in the world, and his eye-opening performances between the posts have prompted many to assume he will be Italy’s No. 1 for most of the next two decades.
Andre Silva – AC Milan forward (age 23)
Silva already has 33 caps and 15 goals with the Portuguese national team, and although he has yet to catch fire in an AC Milan uniform, there is reason to believe that will change this season. The forward enjoyed a successful loan spell at Spanish side Sevilla last year and returns to Milan with plenty of confidence.
Krzysztof Piątek – AC Milan forward (age 24)
Few players have elevated their stock over the last 12 months quite like Piatek. Exactly one year ago, the forward had zero senior caps and was preparing for his first season in the Italian Serie A, having starred as a youngster for Cracovia in his native Poland. By the end of 2018-19, he had finished as AC Milan’s leading scorer—despite spending just half the season with Rossoneri after a January transfer from Genoa. Combining his stints with both teams, as well as a breakthrough with the Polish national team, Piatek recorded 34 goals is 48 appearances for club and country last term.
