Oliver Baumann will play his 500th Bundesliga game against Mainz 05. The national goalkeeper and keeper of TSG Hoffenheim can become the league’s record player.
Oliver Baumann doesn’t like to be in the spotlight, but his career tells one of those quiet, impressive stories of German football. The goalkeeper has been one of the most reliable figures in the Bundesliga for years.
He was already technically strong back then!
His long Bundesliga journey began at SC Freiburg. Baumann moved there in his youth from FC Bad Krozingen. “He was technically very strong back then. Even when he was young, he went out of the box and intervened in the game. He then wet an opponent and played the ball,” said his former youth coach Wolfram Sink from Krozingen in an interview with SWR Sport. The move to Freiburg came as no surprise to him.
Baumann’s dream start in the Bundesliga
Oliver Baumann played for Freiburg in the U17 and U19, among other teams. He became German champion with the A-youth team. In May 2010 the time had come for the first team debut on the big stage: it was the 34th matchday, Freiburg played against Dortmund, Oliver Baumann was in goal for 90 minutes and Freiburg won 3-1. A dream start for the then young keeper.
Social media post on YouTube from SWR Sport Fußball: “National goalkeeper Oliver Baumann: “Just enjoy the moment””
In 2014 he moved to TSG Hoffenheim. Since then he has played more than 300 Bundesliga games for the Kraichgauer team. For his private life, he moved to Heidelberg, where he immediately felt at home. “We’ve met really great people here outside of football and I also feel very comfortable in the club. It’s just a great fit,” said Baumann at the time.
Baumann is a figurehead in Hoffenheim
For TSG fans, Oliver Baumann is captain, support and penalty killer. “Every time there’s a penalty against us, I just know: Oli is there and there’s a good chance he’ll save it,” said a Hoffenheim fan in front of the stadium. “Every matchday is unique. He pulls out actions every day that make me think, how can he keep it up,” added another TSG supporter.
TSG coach Ilzer has great appreciation for Baumann
He delivers and has always remained human. That’s just as impressive as his 500 Bundesliga games.
TSG coach Christian Ilzer to Oliver Baumann
When Hoffenheim’s head coach Christian Ilzer talks about Oliver Baumann, he starts to rave. “There is an excellent person behind the goalkeeper Oli Baumann. This person not only enriches with his achievements on the football field, but he also enriches as a person. He is our captain and has the say on the field and in the group.” Ilzer finds the anniversary impressive. “For many people, having one Bundesliga game is a dream come true and Oli has 500. I think there can be many more to come.”
Baumann celebrates success in the Bundesliga and in the DFB team
After consistent performance over several years, things happened as they had to. In October last year, Oliver Baumann became a national player. On its debut against the Netherlands, Germany won 1-0, thanks in part to a strong save from the keeper. “The first international match is a dream. I’ve been working towards this for years. I’m very proud and very happy,” said the keeper after the game. In the national team he continues to represent the injured goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen.
Honor planned for Baumann at TSG Hoffenheim
Now there is another milestone for the goalkeeper in the Bundesliga. The association has planned several activities for Baumann’s anniversary. However, TSG did not want to reveal exactly what was planned. However, it can be assumed that the national goalkeeper will be honored in front of his own fans at the next home game against FC Augsburg (Saturday, November 29th, 3:30 p.m.) at the latest. TSG Hoffenheim has also planned a Christmas party for children and families in the stadium this Saturday (November 22nd). There, fans can pick up autographs from the captain and his teammates.
In the list of record players, Baumann is currently in 14th place, just behind Thomas Müller. The Bayern legend (503 BL games) will soon catch up with Baumann. Karl-Heinz-Körbel is in first place with 602 Bundesliga games. It is entirely possible that the 35-year-old Baumann will catch up with Körbel in his career. If the goalkeeper stays healthy.
Broadcast on Saturday, November 22nd, 2025, 2:00 p.m., Stadium, SWR1
