Bayern Munich easily put 15 goals past eighth-division team Rottach-Egern, yet the player who garnered the most attention was an unusual substitute who entered the pitch in the 79th minute.
Bayern Munich kicked off their pre-season preparations with a resounding 15-0 victory over Rottach-Egern, a club currently playing in Germany's eighth tier.
This friendly match has become a traditional activity for the Bavarian club during each pre-season training camp. Given the huge gap in quality, it was no surprise that Bayern dominated possession and scored goal after goal.
However, it was Rottach-Egern's substitution decision in the closing minutes that made the match go viral on social media. In the 79th minute, the amateur team sent on a special club member. According to British media, this player serves as the club's treasurer and is also believed to be a police officer in his daily life.
The middle-aged man, with a stout build and a prominent mustache, has been with the club since 2002. Wearing Rottach-Egern's kit, he ran onto the pitch and unexpectedly found himself facing top stars like Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, Joao Palhinha, and Kim Min-jae.
The image of a pot-bellied "veteran" appearing among professional players instantly grabbed all the attention, even sparking more discussion than the 15 goals Bayern scored.
On social media, many fans were delighted by this unusual appearance. One wrote: "Bayern's players must have been so confused." Another account commented: "This guy is about to have the most memorable video of his career, even if he never touches the ball."
One fan called it "the most random thing ever seen," while another joked: "Pure amateur football spirit. One minute he's keeping the books, the next he's subbed on."
On the professional side, Bayern completely dominated their opponents. Aleksandar Pavlovic, Arijon Ibrahimovic, Felipe Chavez, Maycon Cardozo, Armindo Sieb, and Bastian Assomo all scored braces. Joao Palhinha, Joshua Kimmich, and Skender Nuraj also got their names on the scoresheet.
Harry Kane was absent as he is still on holiday after helping the England national team finish third at the World Cup this summer.