Bayern Munich’s 35th Title and the Cockatoo Mystery

Bayern Munich secured their 35th Bundesliga title last Sunday at the Allianz Arena with four matches to spare. A 4-2 victory over Stuttgart mathematically confirmed their championship status. While the official trophy presentation is scheduled to take place after the season’s final fixture against Cologne—at which point the traditional beer showers are expected—the squad has already commenced celebrations.

Central to these festivities is a peculiar porcelain cockatoo figurine. This object, which has become a constant companion during Bayern’s title celebrations since last season, was seen being passed among the players. Midfielder Leon Goretzka was notably photographed posing with the figurine, and during the post-match celebrations in front of the South Stand, the entire squad wore white T-shirts featuring a cartoon illustration of the bird.

The Origins of the ‘Lucky Charm’

The presence of the porcelain bird stems from a minor “theft” that occurred during the previous season, which marked Vincent Kompany’s first title as manager. Bayern clinched that championship during the 32nd round without playing, following a 2-2 draw between Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg.

To watch that decisive match, the squad had gathered at the Käfer-Schänke, an upscale restaurant in central Munich. The restaurant’s owner, Michael Käfer, had originally acquired the cockatoo figurine from an antiques shop in Paris. During the evening’s celebrations, a member of the Bayern contingent surreptitiously removed the figurine from the premises.

The bird reappeared during the official trophy presentation last season when Manager Vincent Kompany placed it atop the trophy pedestal. Kompany later referred to it as the team’s new “mascot,” jokingly stating, “I won’t say who took it, but I’m sure the story will come out eventually.” Although there was an initial promise to return the item, Michael Käfer eventually gifted the figurine to the club, viewing the incident positively.

Impact and Commercial Significance

The cockatoo has since been adopted as a “lucky charm.” Its presence has expanded beyond the Bundesliga, having been taken to the United States for the Club World Cup and appearing during the Franz Beckenbauer Cup victory over Stuttgart in August 2025.

The incident has also proven commercially beneficial for the Käfer restaurant. Following the recent title win, the establishment launched a special merchandise line featuring the cockatoo wearing the league trophy as a pendant.

Current Custodianship

Speculation regarding the identity of the person who originally took the bird continues, with Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich often mentioned as suspects. Kimmich, when questioned by Bavarian television, did not name the culprit but revealed that coaching staff member Aaron Danks is currently responsible for the figurine’s safety.

“Danks always keeps it with him at important moments and brings it out whenever we win something,” Kimmich noted. With an upcoming French Cup semi-final against Leverkusen and a Champions League semi-final against PSG, the squad hopes to see the porcelain cockatoo several more times before the season concludes.