Malik Tillman

Youth career

Tillman was initially eligible to represent both Germany, his birth nation, and the United States, through his father. He played youth international soccer for the United States at under-15 level and Germany at under-15, under-16, under-17, under-20 and under-21 levels.

Senior career

In May 2022, Tillman applied for a one-time switch to play for the United States national team. On May 31, the switch was approved by FIFA. The next day, he made his senior debut for the United States in a 3–0 win in a friendly match against Morocco. He won the 2023–24 CONCACAF Nations League. Tillman had his breakthrough as a starter during the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where he became a standout star in an inexperienced U.S. squad led by manager Mauricio Pochettino. He scored his first two goals for the United States on June 15, 2025 against Trinidad and Tobago, and one week later he scored against Haiti. He created an assist in the thrilling 2–2 (4–3 p) quarter-final win over Costa Rica, and another assist against Guatemala in the 2–1 semi-final win. He ultimately was runner-up against Mexico, though was featured on the team of the tournament. On May 26, 2026, Tillman was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He scored his first World Cup goal from a critical direct free kick in a 2–0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina securing the win in the Round of 32, which he had to change cleats before the kick due to a bloodied right foot injury. He…

Tillman is a versatile attacking midfielder who can also operate as a central midfielder or winger. Known for his composure in possession, close control, and dribbling ability, he is effective at carrying the ball through midfield, linking play, and arriving in the penalty area to score goals. He has been noted for his use of disguised passes including backheel flicks as part of his creative playmaking. He has been described as a highly accurate free kick specialist.

Bayern Munich

Born in Nuremberg, Tillman was part of the youth squad at Greuther Fürth before joining Bayern Munich along with his brother Timothy Tillman in 2015. He was quickly promoted to the under-19 squad after putting in good performances for the under-17s. Tillman made his professional debut on June 9, 2020, when he came on as a substitute for Bayern Munich II, the club's reserve side, against Zwickau. He started and played 57 minutes as Bayern Munich II won 2–0. He was promoted to Bayern Munich's senior team during the first round of the 2021–22 DFB-Pokal against Bremer SV on August 25, 2021. He came on as a substitute at the start of the second half and scored a goal in the 12–0 victory. He made his Champions League debut on December 8, 2021, coming on as a substitute late in the second half against Barcelona.

Loan to Rangers

On July 15, 2022, Tillman joined Scottish club Rangers on a season long loan, with the club having an exclusive option to buy. He made his debut for the club against Scottish Premiership side Livingston, as a second-half substitute, during a 2–1 win on July 30. He scored his first goal for Rangers in a Champions League qualifier against Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise on August 9, and followed this by netting the opening goal in a 4–0 league victory at home over St Johnstone three days later.

PSV

On August 10, 2023, Tillman extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2026. On the same day, he joined…

Tillman is a dual national of the United States and Germany as his father served in the United States Armed Forces stationed in Germany, where he met his German mother. He has an older brother, Timothy, who currently plays professionally with Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Both brothers played for the Greuther Fürth and Bayern Munich academies.