Why Bayern Munich could start history-making 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott against Atalanta in UEFA Champions League
Updated 17/03/2026 at 16:10 GMT
React to this story
Bayern Munich's Leonard Prescott could become the club's youngest-ever goalkeeper as the Bundesliga champions deal with an injury crisis. Manager Vincent Kompany is without a fit senior goalkeeper after Manuel Neuer, Jonas Urbig and Sven Ulreich are all out of action, meaning Kompany may turn to the 16-year-old for the match against Atalanta on Wednesday.
Highlights: Olise scores two stunners Bayern put SIX past Atalanta
Video credit: TNT Sports
Leonard Prescott could make UEFA Champions League history this week as he is poised to start his first Bayern Munich game at the age of 16.
The Bundesliga champions have suffered a goalkeeper injury crisis in recent weeks, which has left them with few options but to pick the youngster for the second leg of their last-16 clash against Atalanta.
Bayern lead the tie 6-1 following an impressive first-leg display but head coach Vincent Kompany has to pick from a group of untested youth team goalkeepers for the return leg after a string of injuries.
Of their senior goalkeepers, Manuel Neuer is out with a muscle tear, and Jonas Urbig is yet to be declared fit after a concussion.
That left Sven Ulreich as the next in line to be picked for the return leg against the Italians, but he suffered a thigh injury in the weekend's game against Bayer Leverkusen.
Prescott was on the bench for that match, and the German youth international - who has represented Germany at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 levels - is now poised to be promoted to the first team to face Atalanta.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/16/image-0b7ffc77-4cf7-474c-8919-8541c012c07e-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'We need to be pretty much perfect' - Rosenior previews 'massive' second leg against PSG
Video credit: TNT Sports
Prescott would become Bayern’s second-youngest player of all time should he make an appearance against Atalanta, and the youngest-ever goalkeeper.Â
He would also become the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in the Champions League.
Bayern’s current youngest player in the history books is Paul Wanner, who is on loan at PSV Eindhoven.
Wanner moved to PSV in 2025 and the 20-year-old forward has now committed to playing for the Austria national team at senior level. On 12 October 2022, at the age of 16 years and 293 days, he made his debut as a substitute for Bayern against Viktoria Plzen in the Champions League.
The other option for the Germans is Jannis Bartl. The 19-year-old plays regularly for Bayern’s reserve side in the German fourth division. He has been called up to the bench by Kompany in recent weeks.Â
- Gerrard reveals the team - bar Liverpool - he wants to see win the league
- Arteta looking for next 'impossible' moment from Dowman
- Man Utd want four major signings, Chelsea ban boosts Arsenal - Paper Round
Urbig remains an option should he be deemed fit after his concussion.
Bayern look set to advance to the quarter-finals after establishing a commanding 6-1 lead over Atalanta in the first leg, meaning the pressure is less keenly felt on Kompany.
The former Manchester City defender has a relatively strong squad to pick from for the rest of his side, and a five-goal advantage stands him in good stead even if he cannot pick one of his usual standard goalkeepers.
Aged just 16 years old, Prescott is already an imposing figure at the back, standing at 1.96 metres tall.
He has appeared for Bayern in the UEFA Youth League and the DFB Junior Cup.
Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement