Germany has a long history of football greatness, with players who have left an unforgettable mark on the game.
Let’s take a look at 20 of the greatest German footballers of all time.
15th: Paul Breitner
Breitner’s versatility made him exceptional, excelling both in defense and midfield. He won titles with Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, including the 1974 World Cup with Germany.
14th: Jürgen Klinsmann
A prolific striker, Klinsmann played for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Tottenham, among others. He won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 European Championship with Germany, and netted 47 goals for the national team.
13th: Toni Kroos
Kroos is a midfield maestro who played for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. He won five Champions League titles and was a key part of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning squad.
12th: Matthias Sammer
A versatile defender and midfielder, Sammer played for Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, winning the Champions League and the 1996 Ballon d’Or. He also captained Germany to victory in the 1996 European Championship.
11th: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
A clinical striker, Rummenigge played for Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, winning numerous domestic and European titles. He was a two-time Ballon d’Or winner and helped Germany win the 1980 European Championship.
10th: Oliver Kahn
Nicknamed “The Titan,” Kahn was a dominating goalkeeper for Bayern Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League. He is the only goalkeeper to win the World Cup Golden Ball, which he did in 2002.
9th: Fritz Walter
The captain of Germany’s first World Cup-winning side in 1954, Walter was a creative midfielder and is remembered as one of the most elegant players in German football history.
8th: Miroslav Klose
Klose is Germany’s all-time leading goal scorer with 71 goals and holds the record for most World Cup goals with 16. He won the 2014 World Cup with Germany.
7th: Manuel Neuer
A revolutionary goalkeeper, Neuer is known for perfecting the “sweeper-keeper” role. He won multiple Bundesliga titles and two Champions Leagues with Bayern Munich, and was key to Germany’s 2014 World Cup victory.
6th: Günter Netzer
Netzer was an influential playmaker, helping Borussia Mönchengladbach win back-to-back Bundesliga titles in the 1970s before moving to Real Madrid. He was part of Germany’s 1972 European Championship and 1974 World Cup-winning squads.
5th: Uwe Seeler
Seeler was a legendary striker for Hamburg, known for his strength and acrobatic goals. He scored 43 goals for West Germany, leading them to the 1966 World Cup final.
4th: Philipp Lahm
Lahm, often considered one of the smartest players in football, was captain of Germany’s 2014 World Cup-winning team. He spent his entire career at Bayern Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles and the 2013 Champions League.
3rd: Lothar Matthäus
Matthäus was an all-round midfield powerhouse who won the 1990 World Cup and was the first German to win the Ballon d’Or. He also captained Germany to the 1980 European Championship.
2nd: Gerd Müller
One of the best strikers in football history, Müller scored an incredible 365 goals in the Bundesliga and 68 goals for West Germany. He won the 1974 World Cup and remains a symbol of German football excellence.
1st: Franz Beckenbauer
Beckenbauer, known as “The Emperor,” redefined the sweeper role and is regarded as one of the greatest defenders in football history. He captained Germany to the 1974 World Cup, won two Ballon d’Ors, and led Bayern Munich to three consecutive European Cups.
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