Explaining why Bayern Munich risks violating German labor laws by potentially fielding 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg.
On 17 Mar 2026 GMT+7, we clarify why Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga powerhouse led by Belgian coach Vincent Kompany, risks violating German labor laws by planning to field 16-year-old goalkeeper Leonard Prescott in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg. The match will be at home against Atalanta, the strong Serie A team, tomorrow night, kicking off at 3:00 a.m. Thailand time.
Bayern Munich's goalkeeper situation is critical after first-choice Manuel Neuer, second-choice Jonas Urbig, third-choice Sven Ulreich, and fourth-choice Leon Klanak all suffered injuries and are sidelined. The team is therefore preparing to field backup goalkeeper Leonard Prescott, aged 16, in this crucial match.
However, Bayern Munich must be cautious about breaching German labor laws that protect youth workers, which forbid anyone under 18 from working past 8:00 p.m. The match starts at 9:00 p.m. German time, so to avoid legal risk, the club would need to urgently apply for a special exemption.
Even if permission is granted, there is still uncertainty, as the law requires athletes to finish playing before 11:00 p.m., which is roughly when the match will end. Moreover, if Leonard Prescott plays, he must have at least 14 hours of rest as mandated by law. This means he would likely have to miss school the following day.
Additionally, Leonard Prescott, the 196 cm tall German youth international born in New York, USA, is poised to break two major records this Wednesday night if he starts against Atalanta.
He would become the youngest goalkeeper ever to play in the UEFA Champions League, surpassing Marten van der Werff's record of 17 years and 287 days, and also the youngest goalkeeper in Bayern Munich's first team history.