Dayot Upamecano riffs on having the right mentality after Bayern Munich contract extension

Bayern Munich’s defensive anchor Dayot Upamecano has put pen to paper on a new deal that binds him to the Rekordmeister through June 2030, ending months of speculation that had Europe’s heavyweights circling. The fresh terms bump the Frenchman’s annual earnings to roughly €20 million and include a €65 million release clause, a clear signal from the club that they view the 27-year-old as a cornerstone of their long-term project.

Negotiations had dragged on since last autumn, and with Real Madrid among those monitoring the situation, Bayern risked losing a player who has matured into one of the Bundesliga’s most imposing center-backs since arriving from RB Leipzig. Instead, Upamecano doubled down on Munich, convinced the Bavarians remain the best stage for his ambitions.

Announcing the extension, the defender spoke less about finances and more about mindset. “For me, mentality is the most important thing for a football player—to always keep going,” he told the club’s official channels. “In my mind, I always want to keep going no matter what happens on the outside. I’m always focused on myself and giving 100 % in training and in games.”

Upamecano traces that resilience to childhood cage matches in Évreux, France, where technical precision and mental toughness were prerequisites for survival. That upbringing, he insists, shaped the player who now patrols Bayern’s back line with equal parts aggression and intelligence.

Under Vincent Kompany, Upamecano has struck a formidable partnership with Jonathan Tah, but he is quick to emphasize the collective. “We’re not playing tennis,” he said. “Football means we have to fight together; that’s what Mia san mia means. We’re always together and we fight for every player on the pitch.”

Asked what message he would send to himself at the end of his career, Upamecano replied, “I’d say, Upa you can be happy. You’ve always given everything no matter what happened. You have to keep going. I hope you win many titles in your career.”

With the extension finalized, Bayern can now plan around a defense anchored by a player whose head never wavered, even when Europe’s elite came calling.