Nicolas Jackson received an unforgettable reception at Munich Airport today as he returned to Germany following his starring role in Senegal’s triumphant 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign. The 24-year-old forward, who joined Bayern Munich from Chelsea in the summer of 2025 for a club-record fee, was greeted by a large group of first-team players, coaching staff, and club officials who waited on the tarmac with smiles, banners, and open arms. Footage of the moment quickly spread across social media, showing Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich, and several other stars clapping, embracing Jackson, and lifting him in celebration as he descended the aircraft stairs carrying the AFCON trophy.

The warm welcome marked the end of a whirlwind month for Jackson, who scored five goals and provided three assists to help Senegal lift their second continental title in Morocco. His decisive strike in the final against Morocco — a composed finish after a swift counter-attack — sealed a 1-0 victory and earned him the tournament’s Player of the Tournament award. Upon landing, Jackson was immediately surrounded by teammates who chanted his name and draped him in a Bayern scarf. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was filmed handing him a personalized No. 9 jersey with “AFCON Champion” embroidered on the back, while manager Vincent Kompany led the group in applause.

Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund later described the gesture as “a mark of respect for what Nico achieved with his country.” “He left as one of our key players and returned as an African champion,” Freund said. “The squad wanted to show him how proud we are. This is family.” Several players posted photos and videos on Instagram, with captions such as “Welcome back king 👑” (Harry Kane) and “The trophy looks good in red” (Jamal Musiala). The club’s official account shared a short clip of the reunion set to triumphant music, which garnered over three million views in its first six hours.

Jackson’s journey to this moment has been remarkable. After breaking through at Villarreal and shining at Chelsea, his €60 million move to Bayern last summer raised eyebrows — some questioned whether he could adapt to the Bundesliga’s intensity and Kompany’s high-pressing system. Yet he silenced doubters early, scoring nine goals in his first 14 appearances before departing for AFCON. His absence coincided with a slight dip in Bayern’s attacking output, making his return even more anticipated. Kompany confirmed Jackson will go straight into full training and is expected to start in Saturday’s Bundesliga clash against Borussia Dortmund, a Klassiker that now carries extra weight.

The timing of his homecoming adds emotional layers. Senegal’s AFCON success was celebrated wildly across West Africa, but Jackson’s personal triumph was amplified by his status as one of the continent’s brightest exports playing for Europe’s biggest clubs. For Bayern fans, seeing their new star return not just fit, but crowned champion, has fueled excitement ahead of the second half of the season. The club currently sits second in the Bundesliga, one point behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, and remains in contention in the Champions League and DFB-Pokal. Jackson’s pace, directness, and finishing are expected to give the attack a fresh edge.

Off the pitch, the welcome reflected Bayern’s modern culture under Kompany — a blend of high performance and genuine camaraderie. Unlike previous eras where new signings were sometimes left to settle quietly, the current squad has made a habit of publicly embracing returning players. Earlier this season, similar scenes greeted Dayot Upamecano after international duty and Kim Min-jae after Asian Cup participation. Jackson’s reception, however, stood out for its scale — nearly the entire first-team squad made the trip to the airport, a rare show of unity.

Jackson himself appeared visibly moved. In a short clip shared by the club, he thanked teammates in a mix of English, French, and German, saying: “This family is special. I’m home and I’m ready.” He later posted on Instagram a photo of himself holding the AFCON trophy in front of the Bayern crest, captioned simply: “Back where I belong ❤️💛.” The post received more than two million likes within hours.

The return also highlights the growing influence of African talent in European football. Jackson joins the likes of Sadio Mané (formerly of Bayern), Mohamed Salah, and Victor Osimhen as one of the continent’s elite forwards. His AFCON heroics have boosted his market value and cemented his status as a global star at just 24. For Bayern, he represents both immediate impact and long-term potential — a player capable of leading the line for the next decade.

As preparations intensify for the Dortmund match, all eyes will be on whether Jackson can translate international form into domestic dominance. The Allianz Arena is expected to give him a hero’s roar when he steps onto the pitch, and the symbolism will be powerful: an African champion wearing red, ready to chase silverware on the biggest stage.

For one night, however, the focus was not on trophies or titles, but on family. A young forward who left Munich as a promising signing returned as a conqueror — and his teammates made sure he knew exactly how much that meant.