He began playing for his home club Bayern Munich in 1927, with whom he won the German championship in 1932.

Goldbrunner played as a centre half 39 times for the Germany national team between 1933 and 1940.

He played in the 1938 France World Cup but promptly retired from the team after a 4 – 2 defeat against Switzerland.

He was the center half of Bayern Munich's first great side, the 1932 German champions.

During his international career, Goldbrunner played against the best center forwards in European football, namely England's George Camsell, Portugal's Fernando Peyroteo, Belgium's Raymond Braine, France's Paul Nicolas, Italy's Silvio Piola and Spain's Isidro Lángara.