Bayern Munich players confused plenty when they celebrated with their latest Bundesliga title triumph with a cockatoo statue and not the iconic Meisterschale trophy.
The Bavarians became Bundesliga champions for the 35th time on Sunday following a 4-2 win over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern celebrated a second straight title under Vincent Kompany following Bayer Leverkusen's win in the 2023-24 campaign.
The German giants, who are also eyeing up a first Champions League crown since 2020, did not lift the trophy as those celebrations are delayed until the final game of the season, against Koln.
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However, Bayern did have a prize of sorts which was handed around the squad on the pitch. A cockatoo statue was present and even on the shoulder of midfielder Leon Goretzka.
The unusual image and left viewers with plenty of questions which were answered by The Athletic.
Journalist Sebastian Stafford-Bloor revealed that the story surrounding dates back to last season when Bayern were crowned champions for the first time under Vincent Kompany.
Bayern's squad had a night out watching Leverkusen draw 2-2 with Freiburg in a private room at the Kaefer Tavern, the result confirming their league title win.
The aforementioned statue belonged to the restaurant, owned by Michael Kaefer - who first saw it in a thrift shop in Paris.
An unnamed Bayern employee took it with them and the cockatoo was never returned. Instead, it became a good luck charm for Bayern and was part of their Bundesliga title celebrations alongside the actual trophy last term - even taking its place on the plinth.
The cockatoo got a run-out at the Club World Cup in the United States and the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup in August, before making an appearance on Sunday.
Bayern also wore t-shirts with the emblem on it and it would appear likely to have another outing for when the trophy lift happens.
Kompany previously said he was "sure the story will come out at some point" and over the weekend Joshua Kimmich said that coach Aaron Dinks guards it with his life.
Kimmich told Bavarian TV that the former Aston Villa assistant "always has it with him when it matters" and "always takes it out when we win something".
Bayern are dreaming of a historic treble as they are in the semi-finals of both the DFB Pokal and Champions League - taking on Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Topics: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga
Josh Lawless