Six Names Compete for Bundesliga September 2026 Player of the Month

The Bundesliga has officially released the list of six players competing for the September 2026 Player of the Month award. The award, held in cooperation with EA Sports since the 2018/19 season, places Michael Olise (Bayern Munich), Phillip Tietz (Mainz), Miguel Gutiérrez (Bayer Leverkusen), Igor Matanović (Freiburg), Maximilian Mittelstädt (VfB Stuttgart), and Yannik Engelhardt (Freiburg) as candidates.

The selection process takes place in two stages: first, an assessment based on player performance data throughout the month; second, votes from fans and an expert panel. The voting period covers matchday 2 to 4, with the month benchmark based on the Saturday of the match. This system ensures the assessment does not rely solely on popularity, but also on real contribution on the pitch.

Michael Olise is the main focus. The French player was involved in four Bayern goals throughout September—three goals and one assist—all of which came in the 7-0 win over Union Berlin, where he scored his first Bundesliga hat-trick. Only Sheraldo Becker (Mainz) recorded more goal contributions (five) in the league during the same period. Olise took 12 shots, with a shot efficiency of +1.6, the highest among Bayern players. When he did not start against Schalke, Bayern seemed to lose creativity and attacking power, ending 0-0.

Phillip Tietz of Mainz is enjoying the best form of his career. Despite failing to make the German squad, the 29-year-old striker has scored four goals in four matchdays, all in September, and leads the provisional top scorer list alongside four other players. He is the only player to score on all three September matchdays, along with Jonathan Burkardt (Eintracht Frankfurt) and Patrik Schick (Leverkusen). Tietz also recorded the best shot efficiency (+2.0) and won 44 of 106 duels. “Right now I am very happy with my goal record, but the joy of today's win is more important,” he said after Mainz won 4-3 over Gladbach.

At Leverkusen, Miguel Gutiérrez has become the ideal replacement for Alejandro Grimaldo. Joining from Napoli in the summer, the 25-year-old left-back immediately became the attacking engine. He became the league's second-highest assist provider in September (3 assists) and scored his first Bundesliga goal against RB Leipzig. His passes have become a key weapon, similar to what Grimaldo used to do. “He was always our first choice if Grimaldo left,” said Leverkusen's sporting director.

Freiburg dominates the list with two players: Igor Matanović and Yannik Engelhardt. Matanović, the 23-year-old Croatian forward, has scored three goals and one assist this season, becoming the anchor of Julian Schuster's 4-2-3-1 formation. He scored twice when Freiburg crushed Gladbach 5-0 and took 11 shots—the most on the team. Meanwhile Engelhardt, a 25-year-old defensive midfielder, scored twice in a single match for the first time, matching his total goals from his previous 33 appearances. His impressive performances earned him his first call-up to the German squad under Jürgen Klopp for the UEFA Nations League matches against the Netherlands, Greece, and Serbia.

Maximilian Mittelstädt of Stuttgart has proven himself as a versatile defender. After being left out of the 2026 World Cup squad, he responded with solid performances both as a left-back and left center-back. He scored one goal and one assist, and created 12 chances—the most in the Bundesliga in September. His duel success rate reached 69%, the highest at Stuttgart. His fine performances earned him a recall to the German national team by Klopp.

For readers in Indonesia, this competition reflects the increasingly competitive dynamics of Europe's top leagues. The presence of young players like Gutiérrez and Matanović shows that regeneration is underway, while Olise remains a magnet. Football fans in the country can watch the nominees' action live through official Bundesliga broadcasts, which are usually available on subscription streaming platforms. In addition, the performances of these players can serve as a reference for Indonesian clubs in recruiting quality foreign players or developing young talent.

Voting for the September 2026 Player of the Month is still open until the specified deadline. Who will follow Olise as the award recipient? Will Tietz or Gutiérrez overtake the favorite? Fan participation will be the final determinant.