When we talk about the current best full-backs in football, the names that typically come to mind are Trent Alexander-Arnold, Nuno Mendes, and Alejandro Balde, among others.
However, there is an underrated full back who has been so consistently good that he’s had former legends and pundits apologizing for underestimating him
The player is none other than Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer.
Laimer, who is having an immense season with Bayern, might not be one of those players who take the spotlight like Harry Kane, Gnabry or Olise, but he is the type of player that every team needs to succeed.
He has been so incredible that pundits like Lothar Matthäus haven’t stopped singing his praises, calling him the perfect team player. Here is what he had to say on Laimer:
“I almost have to apologize to Konrad Laimer. I knew about his dynamism, but I’ve never seen this game intelligence on the pitch as pronounced as this season.”
With 1 goal and 3 assists, the versatile Austrian has been delivering consistently great performances in whatever position he has been asked to play.
Since signing for Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2023 for free, Laimer has proven to be an astute bargain. His versatility, consistency, and clutch mentality have made him an integral part of Kompany’s successful model.
Whether he is deployed as a right back, left back, defensive midfielder, or an attacking midfielder, whether as a link between the defense and attack or in counterpressing, the Austrian star has been impressive in every role.
While Laimer has been Bayern’s MVP this season, the first-half of the year belonged to Nuno Mendes.
Since Luis Enrique took over, Nuno Mendes has become a world-class left back. The speedy defender has been one of the biggest threats for PSG and Portugal, with his performances securing him a spot in the FIFPro World XI for 2025. Nothing proved his world-class status better than PSG’s UCL campaign and Portugal’s clash with Spain in the finals of the UEFA Nations League.
Mendes went toe-to-toe with Lamine Yamal and completely neutralized Barcelona’s electrifying talisman and made him look like an amateur.
So how did Laimer and Mendes fare when they went up against each other?
The two full-backs went at each other throughout the game and contested several duels, but ultimately it was Laimer who silenced Mendes and got the better of him.
Against PSG, it was business as usual for Laimer as he delivered an incredible performance and single-handedly took care of PSG’s left-hand side.
The Bayern midfielder-turned-defender was playing like his life depended on it, flying into tackles, making interceptions, winning duels, and, more importantly, keeping the likes of Mendes quiet.
At one point, the two had a heated exchange after an intense duel. Laimer then reached out with his hand, which many believe to be in a mocking gesture, and Mendes ignored the handshake and walked away.
Mendes didn’t want to shake Laimer’s hand after dueling with him 😭 pic.twitter.com/4ZJOIlCs4v
— L.Prince (Parody) 👑 (@LeroyPrince77) November 6, 2025
Depending on who you support, the consensus ranges from this being a sportsmanlike behavior from someone who was tirelessly pressing and battling for 90 minutes, but the arrogant opponent refused, while the other side claims “it was a mocking gesture and you expect a handshake after playing dirty”.
Regardless, this moment was the clear symbolism of the tone in which the game was played. The clip has gone viral with both sides giving their opinions –
Powerful mind games. Love it.
Laimer was trolling him so hard lmao
Because he got dogwalked like a bitch lol. This success last season rattled this PSG team because their ego was through the roof. Now the reality check hits like crack
Laimer isn’t your flashy dribbler or headline-grabber personality, but he’s a jack-of-all-trades footballer who presses like a dog and is known for his clutch mentality in big-pressure games.
While he usually lets his actions do the talking, Laimer isn’t shy to get his hands dirty when he needs to. He has a psychotic edge and the ability to bring out the mind games when he needs to.
Bayern faithful have noticed moments of madness from the Austrian player as Laimer has been spotted laughing at random moments, including an incident in a game against Leverkusen where he and Mukiele got yellow-carded.
The way Laimer kept insisting ffs he truly has some psychopathic tendencies, randomly laughs during matches too 😭 https://t.co/yIayQ8URcx
— – (@MusialaEra) November 7, 2025
With that said, the handshake with Mendes may just have been a bit of mind games as the way he followed Mendes after getting denied the handshake suggests.
Do you think it was sportsmanship or was Laimer taunting Mendes? Let us know in the comments section.
