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Lars Bender
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Lars Bender
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Lars Bender (German pronunciation: [ˈlaʁs ˈbɛndɐ];[3][4] born 27 April 1989) is a German former professional footballer who played as a right-back or defensive midfielder. He is currently the manager of Wacker Burghausen in Germany's fourth division. He is the twin brother of fellow coach and former player Sven Bender.[5][6]

Key Information

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Bender played from 1993 to 1999 in the youth of the TSV Brannenburg, from 1999 to 2002 he was part of SpVgg Unterhaching youth teams. In summer 2002, he moved to the 1860 München youth team.

1860 Munich

[edit]

In August 2006, Bender played his first game for 1860 Munich II in the Regionalliga Süd. In October, he was an unused substitute in the 1860 Munich senior team, and on 27 November 2006, when he was 17 years old, he made his professional debut at the home game against the TuS Koblenz in the 2. Bundesliga. In his first professional season, he played 13 matches, nine of them in the starting lineup. In this season, Bender won the Fritz-Walter trophy, ahead of then Mönchengladbach's Marko Marin and his twin brother, Sven Bender. In his second season, he was a regular player in the defensive midfield. On the first day of the new season, he scored his first goal. Bender started 2008–09 season again as a regular player. In the second league game against FSV Frankfurt on 3 October 2008, he took over the captaincy and was at 19 the youngest captain in the history of the 1860 Munich, but on 20 October he was seriously injured and after a number of injuries, he finished that season with only 15 matches played. In his three professional seasons played for 1860 München in the 2. Bundesliga, he played 58 games and scored four goals.

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

[edit]

On 18 August 2009, Bender signed a three-year contract with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. He played his first match in the Bundesliga when coming off the bench on Matchday 6 and was used as a substitute in most of 20 games he played during his first season in Bayer Leverkusen. He scored his first goal in the Bundesliga against Eintracht Frankfurt on 16 September, an eventual 4–0 win.[7] In the following season, his position in the defensive midfield remained competitive and he was often second choice, but he played 27 matches and scored three goals. In the 2011–12 season, he was a regular player and played most of the games over the full season, only interrupted by a forced break for a muscle bundle crack injury in the spring of 2012. On 21 March 2012, Bender signed a new contract with Leverkusen to 2018.[8] In the 2012–13 Bundesliga season, he played 33 games, scored 3 goals and made 6 assists. On 31 October 2013, he extended his contract with Leverkusen until 2019.[9]

Bender playing for Bayer Leverkusen in 2012

In the 2013–14 season, he played 29 games and scored three goals in the Bundesliga, despite being injured for the most of September and October and again in the spring of 2014. In the 2014–2015 season, he returned to the field and played 26 games in Bundesliga, scoring one goal against SC Paderborn 07. In UEFA Champions League he helped Leverkusen finish runner-up in the group stage behind AS Monaco but later lost to Atlético Madrid in the Round of 16. For season 2015/16 coach Roger Schmidt appointed him as the new team captain in place of Simon Rolfes, who had ended his career after the end of the preseason.[10] This season was a struggle for him as, after suffering a long-term injury from October 2015 until March 2016, he only made ten appearances in Bundesliga and two appearances in the Champions League. Bender abdicated the captaincy prior to the 2020–21 season due to his ongoing injury issues, passing the role over to Charles Aránguiz.[11] Lars and Sven jointly announced that they would leave Leverkusen and retire from professional football at the end of the 2020–21 season.[12]

Bender played his final professional match on 22 May 2021, the final matchday of the 2020–21 Bundesliga, in which Leverkusen played against Borussia Dortmund. It was his 256th top-flight match for Leverkusen.[13] He replaced his brother Sven, who had also played his final match, in the 89th minute while Leverkusen was awarded a penalty. Lars took the penalty, and in a respectful gesture, Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki allowed him to score without making any effort to save the shot. Bender's final goal of his professional career was a mere consolation goal as Leverkusen went on to lose the match 3–1.[14]

International career

[edit]
Bender celebrating his goal against Denmark during Euro 2012

He was part of the German under-19 side that won the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship. He and his twin Sven were named jointly as players of the tournament.

Bender was chosen as part of Germany's 23-man squad for Euro 2012. He scored an 80th-minute winner in the final group game against Denmark.[15]

On 29 May 2013, Bender scored twice in a 4–2 win over Ecuador.[16]

He was named in Germany's provisional 30-man squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but withdrew on 23 May following a thigh injury in training. Manager Joachim Löw said, "I feel personally very sorry for Lars because I know how much he wanted to be in Brazil, when a player is ruled out so close before a tournament then it is very disappointing for everyone".[17] He played his last internationals for Germany in late 2014.[18]

Lars was part of the Germany Olympic football team for Rio along with his twin and Nils Petersen who were the three selected over 23 years old players,[19] winning the silver medal.[20]

Style of play

[edit]

Bender normally played as a defensive midfielder or right-back. He was primarily known for his all-action style and possessed good tackling, passing and ball interception.[21]

Coaching career

[edit]

In June 2022, the German Football Association appointed him as the new assistant coach of the German U-15 national team.[22]

He became manager of Wacker Burghausen in the German fourth divsion on January 2025.[23]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League DFB-Pokal Continental Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
1860 Munich II 2006–07[24] Regionalliga Süd 9 1 — — 9 1
1860 Munich 2006–07[24] 2. Bundesliga 13 0 0 0 — 13 0
2007–08[25] 28 1 3 0 — 31 1
2008–09[26] 15 3 2 0 — 17 3
2009–10[27] 2 0 1 0 — 3 0
Total 58 4 6 0 — 64 4
Bayer Leverkusen II 2009–10[27] Regionalliga West 2 0 — — 2 0
2010–11[28] 1 0 — — 1 0
Total 3 0 — — 3 0
Bayer Leverkusen 2009–10[27] Bundesliga 20 1 1 0 — 21 1
2010–11[28] 27 3 2 0 12[a] 0 41 3
2011–12[29] 28 4 1 0 8[b] 1 37 5
2012–13[30] 33 3 3 0 5[a] 0 41 3
2013–14[31] 29 3 4 1 6[b] 0 39 4
2014–15[32] 26 1 2 0 7[b] 0 35 1
2015–16[33] 11 1 2 1 4[b] 0 17 2
2016–17[34] 9 0 0 0 3[b] 0 12 0
2017–18[35] 21 2 3 1 — 24 3
2018–19[36] 20 1 2 0 5[a] 0 27 1
2019–20[37] 18 2 2 0 8[c] 0 28 2
2020–21[38] 14 1 2 1 4[a] 0 20 2
Total 256 22 24 4 62 1 342 27
Career total 326 27 30 4 62 1 418 32
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ a b c d e Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  3. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Champions League, four appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
Scores and results list Germany's goal tally first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 June 2012 Arena Lviv, Lviv, Ukraine  Denmark 2–1 2–1 UEFA Euro 2012
2. 29 May 2013 FAU Stadium, Boca Raton, United States  Ecuador 2–0 4–2 Friendly
3. 3–0
4. 14 August 2013 Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern, Germany  Paraguay 3–3 3–3

Honours

[edit]
Germany Youth

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lars Bender

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lars Bender (born 27 April 1989) is a German football and former professional player who primarily operated as a defensive or right back. He is the identical twin brother of fellow former footballer and current coach , with whom he began his youth career at . Bender made his professional debut for 1860 Munich in the in 2006, playing there until 2009 and earning recognition as one of Germany's top youth talents, including winning the Fritz-Walter Medal in the under-19 category in 2008 for his contributions to the national team's victory that year. In 2009, Bender transferred to in the , where he spent the entirety of his senior career until his retirement in 2021, amassing 341 appearances across all competitions and serving as club captain from 2015 to 2020. During his time at , he contributed to notable achievements such as the team's runner-up finish and the 2013 final appearance, while earning a reputation for his versatility, leadership, and tactical intelligence on the pitch. Internationally, Bender represented the Germany national team 18 times between 2009 and 2017, scoring four goals, though injuries limited his participation in major tournaments like the , from which he was ruled out due to a thigh injury. Following his playing retirement in May 2021, Bender transitioned into coaching, initially joining Bayer Leverkusen's staff as an assistant before moving to roles with Germany's youth national teams, including assistant coach for the U15 and U16 sides in 2023–2024. In July 2024, he took charge of SpVgg Unterhaching's U17 team, and since January 2025, he has served as the head manager of in the .

Early life

Family background

Lars Bender was born on 27 April 1989 in , , , as the identical twin brother of , who also pursued a professional football career before transitioning to coaching. The brothers share a close bond forged through their shared passion for football, often crediting their sibling connection for enhancing their on-pitch understanding and coordination. The Bender family hails from the Bavarian countryside, with Lars and Sven raised in the small town of Brannenburg at the foot of the Alps, a region known for its scenic beauty and community-oriented sports culture. Their early exposure to football came through local club TSV Brannenburg, where they played together for six years starting in their youth, laying the foundation for their professional paths. The family's footballing heritage stems from their father, an amateur player whose career was cut short by an injury, which inspired the twins' dedication to the sport from a young age. This paternal influence, combined with the supportive environment in Brannenburg, nurtured the brothers' talents, leading them to join the youth academy of before progressing to .

Youth career

Lars Bender, born on 27 April 1989 in , , began his youth football career at TSV Brannenburg, the local club in his hometown village near , where he joined at the age of four alongside his twin brother . The brothers, inseparable in their development, remained together as they progressed through the ranks at Brannenburg from 1993 to 1999. In 1999, at age ten, the Bender twins transferred to the academy of , a club based in the suburbs, where they honed their skills for the next three years. This move marked an early step toward professional structures, as Unterhaching's setup provided more competitive opportunities in Bavarian regional leagues. In the summer of 2002, and joined the renowned youth academy of , continuing their joint path in one of Germany's established talent pipelines. At , Bender advanced through the age groups, featuring prominently in the U19 side during the 2006/07 season in the A-Juniors South/Southwest, where he made one appearance. His time at the club emphasized disciplined midfield play and tactical awareness, contributing to his rapid progression toward senior football.

Club career

1860 Munich

Lars Bender joined the youth academy of in 2003 at the age of 14, after progressing through the ranks at . During his time in the club's , Bender was part of the Under-17 team that won the German Under-17 title in 2006. That year, he also received the Fritz-Walter Gold Medal in the U17 category, recognizing his outstanding performances for the German youth national team while affiliated with 1860 Munich. Bender began his senior career with 1860 Munich in the 2006–07 season, initially featuring for the in the Süd, where he recorded 9 appearances and 1 goal. He transitioned to the first team in the that same season, making 13 appearances without scoring as the club finished 16th and avoided relegation via playoffs. In the 2007–08 season, Bender became a more regular presence in the senior squad, starting frequently as a central and contributing to a stronger campaign that saw 1860 end 5th in the . He played 28 league matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 1 assist, while also featuring in 3 games. His development continued into the 2008–09 season, where he appeared in 15 league fixtures and netted 3 goals, including notable strikes in key matches, alongside 2 outings, as the team placed 6th. Over his three professional seasons with 1860 Munich from 2006 to 2009, Bender amassed 64 appearances across all competitions, scoring 4 goals and recording 1 assist, establishing himself as a promising talent in the second tier. His performances, combined with his international youth success—capped by winning the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship—drew attention from top-flight clubs. In August 2009, shortly after the U19 triumph, he transferred to Bayer 04 Leverkusen for a fee of approximately €2 million, marking the end of his time at his boyhood club.
SeasonCompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssists
2006/071300
2007/082811
2007/08300
2008/091530
2008/09200

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Bender joined from on August 18, 2009, signing a three-year contract as a promising young . He made his debut for the club on September 20, 2009, in a 2–0 home win over , coming on as a substitute. During his first season (2009–10), he featured in 20 matches, contributing to Leverkusen's fourth-place finish, which qualified them for the . Over the next decade, Bender established himself as a key figure in Leverkusen's midfield, known for his tactical discipline and versatility. He extended his contract multiple times, including deals until 2017 in March 2012, until 2019 in October 2013, and further renewals thereafter. In total, he made 341 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing 36 assists. His contributions helped Leverkusen achieve consistent top-six finishes in the Bundesliga, including a runner-up position in 2010–11 and multiple third- and fourth-place results that secured regular Champions League participation. In European competitions, he played 30 Champions League matches and 28 Europa League games, underscoring the club's competitive presence during his tenure. Bender was appointed club in 2015, leading the team for five seasons until stepping down before the 2020–21 campaign due to persistent injuries. Under his leadership, reached the final in 2019–20, though they lost 4–2 to Bayern . Despite injury setbacks in his later years, Bender's reliability and earned him recognition as an honorary in September 2021, joining an elite group of six previous recipients at the club. Bender announced his retirement in December 2020, alongside his twin brother , opting not to renew his contract and concluding his professional career at the end of the 2020–21 season. His final match was on 22 May 2021, a 3–1 away defeat to . He entered as a substitute in the 89th minute and scored from the penalty spot in the 90th minute. Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Bürki deliberately stood aside, allowing the penalty to find the net as a mark of respect. Throughout his 12-year stint, Bender embodied the club's values of teamwork and commitment, amassing 256 appearances with 22 goals and 29 assists.

International career

Youth international career

Bender began his youth international career with the Germany under-17 team, where he made 9 appearances and scored 1 goal between 2005 and 2006. He featured prominently in the 2006 , forming a key midfield partnership with his twin brother as part of a three-man unit that emphasized pace and intuition. Germany reached the quarter-finals of the tournament before being eliminated by the . Progressing to the under-19 level, Bender earned 9 caps and netted 2 goals from 2007 to 2008. He played a pivotal role in Germany's successful campaign at the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship in the , where the team ended a 16-year for a youth international title by defeating 3–1 in the final. The Bender twins anchored the central midfield, contributing to a balanced and dynamic performance throughout the tournament, with Lars scoring twice in the competition. Their influence was such that both were jointly awarded the tournament's best player honor. Bender also represented at the under-20 level, accumulating 6 caps and 1 goal, including participation in the in , where the team exited in the round of 16. His only under-21 appearance came in a 2010 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier. Later, as an overage player, he contributed to the Olympic team at the 2016 Rio Games, making 6 appearances en route to a after a 1–0 extra-time loss to in the final.

Senior international career

Lars Bender made his senior international debut for on 6 September 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 friendly draw against Poland in . Bender was included in 's squad for , where he appeared in all three group stage matches. He came off the bench against in a 1–0 victory on 9 June 2012, the in a 2–1 win on 13 June, and started against on 17 June, scoring the decisive goal in the 80th minute to secure advancement to the quarter-finals. finished as runners-up in the tournament after a semi-final loss to . His performances during Euro 2012 highlighted his versatility in midfield, contributing to the team's strong group stage record. Following Euro 2012, Bender featured regularly in friendlies and qualifiers. In 2013, he scored twice in a 4–2 friendly win over on 29 May and once in a 3–3 draw with on 14 August. He was part of the that won the , but a sustained in training on 23 May 2014 forced him to withdraw before the tournament began, missing all matches despite his inclusion in the preliminary 30-man . Bender returned for Euro 2016 qualifying, making a substitute appearance in a 4–0 win over on 14 November 2014. His final senior international match came on 18 November 2014 in a 1–0 friendly victory against , where he played the last 18 minutes. Over his senior career with , Bender accumulated 19 caps and scored 4 goals, primarily in friendlies, before fading from the national team setup due to injuries and competition in midfield.

Post-playing career

Retirement

On 21 December 2020, Lars Bender, alongside his twin brother , announced that they would not renew their contracts with and would retire from professional football at the end of the 2020–21 Bundesliga season. The decision was influenced by ongoing health concerns and family priorities, with the brothers citing increasing physical pain that made it difficult to maintain the performance levels required at the elite level. In a joint statement, they emphasized that the choice was not a rejection of the club but a necessary step after much deliberation, expressing their commitment to helping achieve its seasonal goals until their departure. Bender, who had served as Leverkusen's from 2015 until the start of the 2020–21 campaign, reflected on his 11-year tenure with the club since joining from 1860 in 2009. He described the announcement as emotionally challenging but affirmed his pride in contributing to Bayer's , stating, "I'll try to enjoy the remaining time... I was and am proud of being part of the of Bayer 04." Injuries had limited his appearances during the season, restricting him to just two appearances before his farewell match, one as a starter in the DFB-Pokal and one as a substitute in the Bundesliga. Bender's professional career concluded on 22 May 2021 in 's final fixture against at . Despite a season-long injury that had sidelined him, he made a surprise 89th-minute appearance as a substitute for , entering to a from the home crowd. In stoppage time, with trailing 2–1, Bender converted a penalty kick after Dortmund Roman Bürki deliberately stepped aside in a of , allowing the outgoing to score the consolation in a 3–1 defeat. The moment symbolized the mutual admiration between the rivals and marked an emotional end to Bender's 342 appearances for , during which he won the .

Coaching career

Following his from professional football at the end of the 2020–21 season with , where he cited ongoing pain and physical issues as key factors, Lars Bender began his coaching career in the international setup. In June 2022, the appointed Bender as assistant coach for the Germany U15 national team, where he supported Marc-Patrick Meister during the 2022–23 season, focusing on player development in international friendlies and tournaments. Bender contributed to the team's tactical preparation and talent identification, drawing on his experience as a former Germany international . Bender advanced to assistant coach for the Germany U16 national team in the 2023–24 season, continuing his role in the youth pathway by assisting in matches and training sessions aimed at bridging junior and senior levels. In early 2024, from January to March, he served in a coaching capacity with the U17 national team. His work emphasized defensive organization and midfield control, reflecting his own playing strengths. In June 2024, Bender returned to club football with , initially serving as assistant coach for the senior team—then managed by his twin brother —while taking on the head coaching role for the club's U17 youth team from July 2024 to December 2024. During this period, he focused on integrating youth prospects into the senior setup, overseeing U17 development in the DFB-Nachwuchsliga and contributing to the first team's promotion push in the . On January 9, 2025, Bender was named head manager of in Germany's fourth-tier , signing a contract through June 2026. In his debut season (2024–25, starting mid-campaign), he guided the team over the remaining matches, contributing to their mid-table position. By the 2025–26 season, as of November 2025, Burghausen under Bender had maintained a competitive record in early fixtures, averaging 1.87 points per game across 31 matches in his tenure with the club and employing a preferred 4–2–3–1 formation to emphasize balanced midfield play. Overall, Bender's coaching record stands at 44 games managed, with 20 wins, 9 draws, and 15 losses, highlighting his growing impact in lower-division and youth contexts.

Playing style

Positional versatility

Lars Bender was renowned for his ability to adapt to multiple roles across the midfield and defensive lines, making him a valuable asset for both club and country. His primary position was as a , where he anchored the center of the pitch with strong tackling and positional discipline. However, Bender frequently demonstrated versatility by shifting to , right-back, right , and occasionally center-back, allowing managers to deploy him flexibly in various tactical setups. During his time at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Bender's positional range was particularly evident in high-stakes matches. For instance, he excelled in an unconventional role at right-back during international duty for Germany in a UEFA Euro 2012 group stage match against Denmark on 17 June 2012, where he not only defended effectively but also contributed offensively by initiating attacks and scoring the decisive goal in a 2–1 victory. This adaptability stemmed from his physical attributes, including his 1.85 m height and stamina, which enabled seamless transitions between defensive duties and midfield support. At Leverkusen, he often operated as a right midfielder or central defender when injuries or formations demanded it, providing defensive cover while maintaining the team's balance. Bender's versatility extended to central and right-sided areas, crucial in Leverkusen's pressing system under coaches like Roger Schmidt, where Bender could drop into defense or push forward as needed, contributing to the team's competitive edge in the and Europa League. His multi-positional proficiency, combining defensive solidity with forward surges, distinguished him from more specialized players and earned praise for enhancing squad depth.

Key attributes

Lars Bender was renowned for his physical presence in , often deploying as a central or defensive with the capability to shift to right-back or even center-back when required. His combative style emphasized tenacity and , making him a reliable grafter who covered significant ground during matches, exemplified by his role in Leverkusen's high-pressing systems under multiple managers. A key strength lay in his defensive prowess, particularly tackling, where he averaged 3.4 successful tackles per game in the , executed with precision and timing to disrupt opposition play without unnecessary fouls. Bender also excelled in aerial duels due to his 185 cm height and strong positioning, winning a significant portion of headers both defensively and on set pieces, where he posed an indirect threat through clearances and interceptions. His ability to hold onto the under was rated very strong, allowing him to maintain possession in tight spaces and transition play effectively. Offensively, Bender contributed dynamically as a box-to-box player, with a 75% success rate in take-ons that highlighted his physicality and balance, enabling forward surges and occasional goals—such as his three strikes in the 2013–14 season. As for five years at , his leadership and team-oriented mentality underscored his attributes, prioritizing collective success over individual flair, though his passing accuracy hovered around 77%, occasionally limiting creative output.

Career statistics

Club

Lars Bender's club career primarily spanned two teams: TSV 1860 Munich from 2006 to 2009 and Bayer 04 Leverkusen from 2009 to 2021, where he made 342 appearances and scored 27 goals across all competitions. His domestic league statistics, detailing appearances, starts, minutes played, goals, assists, and cards by season, are summarized below.
SeasonClubLeagueMatches Played (Starts)MinutesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards
2006-20071860 Munich2. Bundesliga13 (9)7560030
2007-20081860 Munich2. Bundesliga28 (27)2,1561190
2008-20091860 Munich2. Bundesliga15 (15)1,0873030
2009-20101860 Munich2. Bundesliga2 (2)1470000
2009-2010Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga20 (6)7331000
2010-2011Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga27 (10)1,2143030
2011-2012Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga28 (28)2,3794320
2012-2013Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga33 (32)2,7843610
2013-2014Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga29 (28)2,3423141
2014-2015Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga26 (25)2,0181350
2015-2016Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga11 (11)8831130
2016-2017Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga9 (9)6020140
2017-2018Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga21 (20)1,5952450
2018-2019Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga20 (18)1,3611420
2019-2020Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga18 (16)1,3732130
2020-2021Bayer LeverkusenBundesliga14 (12)9361220
Career Total314 (258)22,2062627451
In addition to league play, Bender recorded 30 appearances and 4 goals in the , 30 appearances and 1 goal in the , and 28 appearances in the with Bayer Leverkusen.

International

Lars Bender represented at various youth international levels, beginning with the under-17 team. He was a key figure in the German under-19 squad that won the 2008 , defeating 3–1 in the final in the , where Bender scored the opening goal as a central alongside his twin brother . He accumulated nine appearances and two goals for the under-19 team, seven appearances and one goal for the under-20 side, and one appearance for the under-21 team. Bender made his senior international debut for on 6 September 2011, coming on as a substitute in a 2–2 friendly draw against . Over the course of his senior career, he earned 18 caps, scoring four goals, primarily in friendly matches. Notable among these was a brace in a 4–2 friendly victory over on 29 May 2013. He featured in three matches at , including scoring Germany's third goal in a 2–1 group-stage win against . Selected for Germany's squad, Bender withdrew due to a thigh before the tournament began, though the team ultimately won the competition. His final senior cap came in November 2014 during . As one of three overage players, Bender was part of the German Olympic football team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, where the side secured a after a 1–1 draw with in the final (lost 4–5 on penalties after extra time). He appeared in two matches, logging 124 minutes without scoring.

Honours

Club honours

Lars Bender's senior club career with Bayer Leverkusen featured notable achievements in the form of runner-up finishes in domestic competitions, reflecting the team's competitive but ultimately trophyless major campaigns during his tenure. In the 2010–11 season, Bender contributed to Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga runner-up finish, as the club ended second behind with 68 points from 34 matches, qualifying for the . As captain during the 2019–20 campaign, Bender led Leverkusen to the final for the second time in his career, though they fell 4–2 to Bayern Munich in a match delayed by the and played at the neutral . These accomplishments highlight Bender's role in elevating to consistent challengers, though the club did not secure any senior titles during his 12-year stint.

International honours

Bender represented at various youth levels before earning 19 senior caps between 2011 and 2017. His most notable team achievement came with the Germany U-19 side, which won the 2008 held in the ; Bender featured prominently in the tournament, starting in key matches including the 3–1 semi-final victory over and the 1–0 final win against , while scoring once during the group stage against the hosts. At the senior level, Bender was selected as one of three overage players for the at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, alongside his twin brother ; the team secured a after defeating 1–0 in the quarter-finals and 2–0 in the semi-finals but losing 1–1 (4–5 on penalties) to in the final. Bender appeared in four matches during the tournament, including the final. Individually, Bender received the Fritz-Walter-Medaille in gold for the U-17 category in 2006, awarded by the for his performances with the U-17 team at the , where he helped reach the semi-finals. He was also named the Golden Player of the 2008 UEFA European Under-19 Championship jointly with his twin brother for his central midfield role in Germany's triumph.

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/profil/spieler/30059
  2. https://www.national-football-teams.com/player/45529/Lars_Bender.html
  3. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/lars-sven-bender-on-retirement-bayer-leverkusen-borussia-dortmund-15962
  4. https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/lars-bender-the-bavarian-at-bayer
  5. http://bodimanatlite.blogspot.com/2012/05/lars-bender.html
  6. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/27536543
  7. https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe26794/lars-bender/
  8. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/profil/trainer/104859
  9. https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/sven-bender-from-the-foot-of-the-alps-to-the-river-dhuenn
  10. https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cdd9325b8eb-44322afc3fa9-1000--twins-make-identical-strides/
  11. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/bayer-leverkusen-twins-lars-and-sven-bender-to-retire-14030
  12. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lars-bender/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/30059
  13. https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0252-0cddd353aad4-d8eb4e56b0ab-1000--2008-lars-sven-bender/
  14. https://www.squawka.com/en/features/from-neuer-to-havertz-every-winner-of-the-fritz-walter-medal-since-2005/
  15. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/leistungsdaten/spieler/30059
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/30059
  17. https://www.kicker.de/lars-bender/laufbahn
  18. https://de.uefa.com/under19/news/0252-0cddd353aad4-d8eb4e56b0ab-1000--2008-lars-sven-bender/
  19. https://www.facebook.com/bayer04leverkusen/videos/otd-in-2009-debut-lars-bender/769862717639594/
  20. https://www.transfermarkt.com/bayer-04-leverkusen/platzierungen/verein/15
  21. https://www.si.com/soccer/2012/03/21/bender-leverkusen
  22. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0ea8bbc0a2b3-ca6dbebef8d5-1000--leverkusen-tie-down-bender-until-2019/
  23. https://www.fotmob.com/news/11c02s7lnw6q21a1ixgprlznrx/lars-and-sven-bender-to-retire-at-end-of-the-season
  24. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/erfolge/spieler/30059
  25. https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/werkself-tv/wonderful-time-lars-bender-named-honorary-captain
  26. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/576847/bayer-leverkusen-borussia-dortmund
  27. https://www.givemesport.com/88077209-when-roman-burki-let-lars-bender-score-in-last-ever-game-in-2021/
  28. https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/lars-bender/
  29. https://de.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0cdd9325b8eb-44322afc3fa9-1000--twins-make-identical-strides/
  30. https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0252-0ce442dc86ef-c8f4b83c1647-1000--2008-glorious-germany-sweep-to-victory/
  31. https://www.squawka.com/en/cult-corner/golden-player-award-european-u19-championships/
  32. https://www.footballdatabase.eu/en/player/details/28403-lars-bender
  33. https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/lars-and-sven-bender-to-leave-at-the-end-of-the-season
  34. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/30059/saison/2020/wettbewerb/L1/verein/15
  35. https://www.bayer04.de/en-us/news/bayer04/we-say-thank-you-the-benders-last-day
  36. https://www.beinsports.com/en-au/football/bundesliga/articles-video/bender-brothers-to-retire-at-seasons-end
  37. https://bulinews.com/news/13047/lars-sven-bender-appointed-germany-youth-coaches
  38. https://www.fotmob.com/players/37373/lars-bender
  39. https://www.sofascore.com/manager/lars-bender/805585
  40. https://www.whoscored.com/Players/29940/Show/Lars-Bender
  41. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/jun/17/euro-2012-denmark-germany-group-b
  42. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2006279-arsenal-back-in-for-bender-gunners-german-midfielder-bid-imminent
  43. https://www.whoscored.com/players/29940/show/lars-bender
  44. https://eplindex.com/56376/arsenal-scouting-report-schneiderlin-bender.html
  45. https://www.transfermarkt.com/lars-bender/profil/spieler/30059
  46. https://www.transfermarkt.us/lars-bender/nationalmannschaft/spieler/30059
  47. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37480122/lars-sven-bender-selected-germany-olympics-squad
  48. https://footystats.org/players/germany/lars-bender
  49. https://fbref.com/en/squads/c7a9f859/2010-2011/Bayer-Leverkusen-Stats
  50. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/lars-bender
  51. https://olympics.com/en/video/men-s-football-final-rio-2016
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