🙌 Bayern Munich Cult Heroes: Mario Mandžukić | OneFootball

A cult hero. An unlikely champion of the people. Someone who is loved, adored even, without being the greatest or the best or the most consistent.

That brings us to Mario Mandžukić …

When you think of strikers who have donned the Bayern Munich shirt, your mind casts to the likes of Gerd Müller or Robert Lewandowski.

However, there is a former forward who wasn’t as groundbreaking but is still held in high esteem by Die Roten.

Mario Mandžukić has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe and is remembered fondly by every team he’s graced.

The Croatian arrived at Bayern in 2012 for a fee of €13m after impressing in the Bundesliga, scoring 20 goals in 60 appearances for Wolfsburg.

His eye for goal was under no doubt, but there was something more about Mandźukić, ‘the beast’.

Milan Badelj, his international teammate, described him as “an incredible strong, enduring animal.

“His strange build, enormous natural fitness and stamina make him an idiosyncratic player.”

Mandžukic’s work rate would endear him to any fanbase, and his aggression as well as his eye for the dark arts made him perfect for Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid team after his spell in Bavaria.

Jupp Heynckes had the desire for rotating his Bayern side during 2012/13 which meant Mandžukić only made 24 appearances in the Bundesliga.

However, a return of 15 goals to help the club win the title was certainly not a bad way to settle in at the Allianz.

It’s his exploits in the Champions League that will ensure Bayern supporters will always have fond memories of the striker.

Mandžukic scored the only goal in the win in Turin over Juventus in the quarter-final first leg and then came a career-defining moment in London.

60 minutes into the final against Borussia Dortmund, Mandžukić took advantage of Arjen Robben’s good work to give Bayern the lead.

Bayern went on to pick up their fifth Champions League trophy and Mandžukić ended his first season by winning the treble.

Another Bayern favourite is one of his biggest fans.

Stefan Effenberg, the 2001 Champions League winning captain, offered him the highest praise when he spoke to T Online in 2018.

“I never understood why Bayern sold him.

“If he were not so old, he would be have a market value of over €200m. I would prefer him 10 times better than Neymar.”

Mandžukić wasn’t exactly the quickest player but his work ethic and stamina were relentless.

However, the arrival of Pep Guardiola ushered the Croatian to the exit door. It’s fair to say neither party were fond of each other.

“Guardiola disappointed me because he didn’t treat me with respect and it was twice as good when Heynckes was there.

“Would I sit down with Guardiola for a coffee? That is something that’s not going to happen.”

No love lost there.

Mario and Bayern will always have Wembley …