Career Timeline of David Alaba: Major Achievements and Milestones

How David Alaba built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

David Alaba is a highly accomplished Austrian professional footballer, currently playing as a centre-back for Real Madrid in La Liga. He also serves as the captain of the Austria national team. Alaba initially rose to prominence and was widely regarded as one of the world's best left-backs before transitioning to his current role in the center of defense.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

April 2008: Named to First-Team Substitutes Bench

In April 2008, David Alaba was named on the first-team substitutes' bench for an Austrian Bundesliga match while playing for FK Austria Wien.

August 2009: Debut and First Goal for FC Bayern Munich II

In August 2009, David Alaba debuted in a 3. Liga match against Dynamo Dresden and scored his first professional goal for FC Bayern Munich II on August 29, 2009.

October 2009: Call-up to Austria National Team

In October 2009, David Alaba was called up to the senior Austria national team and made his debut against France, becoming the youngest player in the team's history.

2009: Debut for Austria National Team

In 2009, David Alaba, at age 17, debuted for the senior Austria national team, making him Austria's second youngest player to do so.

January 2010: Training with Bayern Munich First Team

In January 2010, David Alaba began training with Bayern Munich's first team, along with teammates Diego Contento and Mehmet Ekici.

February 2010: First Team Debut for Bayern Munich

On February 10, 2010, David Alaba made his first-team debut for Bayern Munich in a DFB-Pokal game against SpVgg Greuther Fürth, assisting a goal and becoming the club's youngest-ever player in a competitive fixture at 17 years, 7 months, and 8 days old.

January 2011: Loan to Hoffenheim and First Bundesliga Goal

In January 2011, David Alaba joined TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on loan and later that month, scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 2–2 draw with FC St. Pauli.

January 2011: Loan to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim

In January 2011, David Alaba was loaned to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim until the end of the 2010-11 season.

October 2011: First League Goal for Bayern Munich

In October 2011, David Alaba scored his first league goal for Bayern Munich in a 1–2 away loss against Hannover 96.

April 2012: UEFA Champions League Semi-Final

On April 25, 2012, David Alaba played in the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Real Madrid, scoring Bayern's first penalty in the shootout. He was suspended for the final.

October 2012: First Goal for Austria

On October 16, 2012, David Alaba scored his first goal for Austria in a World Cup Qualifying game against Kazakhstan.

April 2013: Champions League Goal Against Juventus

On April 2, 2013, David Alaba scored the seventh-fastest goal in Champions League history (25.02 seconds) in a match against Juventus.

September 2013: Goal Against Ireland

On September 10, 2013, David Alaba scored the only goal of the game against Ireland in the 84th minute, giving Austria a 1–0 victory.

December 2013: New Contract with Bayern Munich

On December 2, 2013, David Alaba signed a new contract with Bayern Munich that would expire in 2018.

2013: UEFA Champions League Title

In 2013, David Alaba won the UEFA Champions League title with Bayern Munich as part of a treble-winning season.

September 2015: Penalty Kick Against Sweden

On September 8, 2015, David Alaba scored a ninth-minute Panenka-style penalty kick to open a 4–1 away win over Sweden, qualifying Austria for UEFA Euro 2016.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016

In 2016, David Alaba played in all three group matches as Austria finished last in their group with one point at the UEFA Euro 2016.

March 2017: Captains Austria for the First Time

On March 24, 2017, David Alaba captained Austria for the first time in a World Cup 2018 qualification game against Moldova in a 2–0 victory.

August 2020: UEFA Champions League Final Win

On August 23, 2020, David Alaba played the full 90 minutes as centre-back as Bayern Munich beat Paris Saint-Germain 1–0 in the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final, securing his second continental treble.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020

In 2020, David Alaba captained Austria during the UEFA Euro 2020, where they reached the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

2020: Second UEFA Champions League Title

In 2020, David Alaba secured his second UEFA Champions League title with Bayern Munich as part of another treble-winning season.

February 2021: Announcement to Leave Bayern Munich

On February 16, 2021, David Alaba announced that he would leave Bayern Munich following the 2020–21 season after thirteen years with the club.

May 2021: Signs for Real Madrid

On May 28, 2021, David Alaba signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid, beginning on July 1.

2021: Signs for Real Madrid

In 2021, David Alaba signed for Real Madrid.

August 2022: UEFA Super Cup and La Liga Goal

In August 2022, David Alaba scored the opening goal in the 2022 UEFA Super Cup against Eintracht Frankfurt on August 10 and scored the winning goal for Real Madrid from a free kick against Almería on August 14.

June 2023: 100th Match for Austria

On June 17, 2023, David Alaba played his 100th match for Austria in a 1–1 away draw against Belgium during the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying.

2024: Non-Playing Captain

In 2024, despite being unable to play in the UEFA Euro 2024 due to his long-term injury, David Alaba was named as a "non-playing captain" for the team.