Bayern Munich secured the Bundesliga title with four matches remaining in the season after defeating Stuttgart 4–2 at the Allianz Arena on Sunday. The result confirmed their 35th league championship. However, the trophy has not yet been presented to the squad, as it will be officially handed over after their final league fixture against Cologne. Tradition dictates that the club’s celebrations will then include the customary beer shower.
Despite the delayed presentation, Bayern players and staff have continued their celebrations following the confirmation of the title. A distinctive feature of these celebrations has been the recurring appearance of a cockatoo figure, which has become closely associated with the team’s recent success.
The object is not a live bird but a porcelain cockatoo figurine. It has been observed passing from one player to another during celebrations, and has featured in several team photographs. Bayern midfielder Leon Goretzka has also posed with the figurine.
Following the title confirmation at the weekend, the squad gathered in front of the southern stand at the Allianz Arena for a group photograph. Players, coaching staff and club personnel wore white T-shirts, which also displayed a cartoon image of the cockatoo, marking a distinctive visual element of the celebration.
Key details of the cockatoo figure
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Object | Porcelain cockatoo figurine |
| First appearance | Previous Bundesliga title celebrations |
| Current use | Club celebrations and photographs |
| Notable usage | Placed during trophy presentation under Vincent Kompany |
| Status | Considered an informal “lucky charm” |
Interest in the origin of the figurine has led to widespread discussion among supporters. A report published by The Athletic has outlined the background story, describing an incident during the previous season.
Bayern also won the Bundesliga title last season, which was the first under head coach Vincent Kompany. On that occasion, the club were confirmed champions in matchweek 32 without playing, after Bayer Leverkusen drew 2–2 with Freiburg. Bayern’s squad had no fixture that day and instead gathered in Munich to follow the decisive match together.
The players met at Käfer Tavern, a restaurant in the city centre. While watching the match, they noticed a cockatoo figurine inside the restaurant, which had been acquired by owner Michael Käfer from an antique shop in Paris.
According to the report, one member of the Bayern squad took the figurine and brought it out of the restaurant. It subsequently appeared during the club’s end-of-season celebrations. During the trophy presentation, Kompany placed the figure on the podium, where it was visible in numerous photographs.
When asked about the object at the time, Kompany stated: “Who took it I am not going to say. But I am sure this story will come out at some point.” He also described it as a new team mascot and indicated it would eventually be returned, although that return did not take place. The restaurant owner later accepted the situation positively and ultimately presented the figurine to the club as a gift. It has since been regarded informally as a lucky charm.
The incident has also generated commercial interest for Käfer’s restaurant, which began selling a commemorative product range featuring the cockatoo image following Bayern’s recent title success. The design shows the bird wearing the league trophy like a garland.
The figurine has also appeared at several other events, including Bayern’s participation in the Club World Cup in the United States and the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup in August 2025, when they defeated Stuttgart.
Current competitions and upcoming fixtures
Bayern remain active in multiple competitions this season. They have reached the semi-finals of the French Cup, where they are scheduled to face Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday. In the Champions League, they will meet Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their semi-final next week.
| Competition | Stage | Opponent | Fixture |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Cup | Semi-final | Bayer Leverkusen | Wednesday |
| Champions League | Semi-final (1st leg) | Paris Saint-Germain | Next week |
Ongoing discussion around the figurine
Questions remain over who originally removed the cockatoo figurine from the restaurant. No individual has formally confirmed responsibility. Joshua Kimmich has been among those questioned, alongside Leon Goretzka, although no statements have confirmed involvement.
Kimmich has referred to the issue in media appearances, suggesting the club’s coaching staff member Aaron Danks is responsible for keeping the figurine secure. He said in a Bavarian television interview: “Danks always keeps it at important moments and brings it out whenever we win something. So hopefully we will see the cockatoo a few more times this season.”