Germany is famed for producing brilliant footballers, but which of the numerous well-known and popular players was the best? Here is a list of the best 10 German football players of all time.
Germany is one of the all-time soccer giants and has won countless World Cup awards. German football has garnered the country enormous distinction since the German Football Association was founded in 1900.
10. Matthias Sammer
- Date of birth: Sep 5, 1967
- Place of birth: Dresden
- Height: 1,81 m
- Position: Sweeper- Defensive Midfielder
East German-born Matthias Sammer made his international debut for West Germany in 1990. Players from West Germany won the FIFA World Cup in 1990, but Sammer made his debut on December 19, 1990, following Germany’s unification. On Stuttgart, Germany easily defeated Switzerland 4-0 in his professional debut match.
He participated in the 1992 European Championship as a defensive midfielder, and his team lost to Denmark to finish second. When Sammer was traded to Borussia Dortmund in 1993, he took up the position of sweeper.
9. Uwe Seeler
- Date of birth: Nov 5, 1936
- Place of birth: Hamburg Germany
- Height: 1,70 m
- Position: Forward – Centre-Forward
He was a prolific goal scorer for Hamburger SV and appeared for West Germany on 72 occasions. He was included on Pele’s list of the top 125 footballers still playing in 2004. The Great Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany was originally awarded to a soccer player, Uwe Seeler.
8. Bastian Schweinsteiger
- Date of birth: Aug 1, 1984
- Place of birth: Kolbermoor Germany
- Height: 1,83 m
- Position: Midfielder – Central Midfield
Bastian Schweinsteiger cemented his place among the greatest German footballers of all time after his outstanding performance in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina.
7. Sepp Maier
- Date of birth: Feb 28, 1944
- Place of birth: Metten Germany
- Height: 185 m
- Position: Goalkeeper
Germany has some of the best goalkeepers in the world, including Oliver Kahn and Manuel Neuer, who are regarded as the best keepers of their generation. Sepp Maier was recognised as the world’s top goalkeeper in the 1970s. He preserved four clean sheets during the 1974 World Cup as they won the trophy by defeating the Johan Cruyff-inspired Dutch team.
6. Fritz Walter
- Date of birth: Oct 31, 1920
- Place of birth: Kaiserslautern Germany
- Date of death: 17.06.2002 (81)
- Position: Midfielder – Attacking Midfield
One of the best German football players of all time is Fritz Walter. The greatest German player now receives a significant trophy bearing his name; most recently, Kuhn and Adeyemi took home the honour.
5. Miroslav Klose
- Date of birth: Jun 9, 1978
- Place of birth: Opole Poland
- Height: 1,84 m
- Position: Forward – Centre-Forward
After surpassing Gerd Muller’s goal total as the highest scorer for Germany at the 2014 World Cup, Miroslav Klose eclipsed Ronaldo Nazario’s record by scoring 16 goals overall, exceeding the Brazilian. Strikers that are as adept at scoring in the box as he is are uncommon.
4. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
- Date of birth: Sep 25, 1955
- Place of birth: Lippstadt Germany
- Height: 1,82 m
- Position: Forward – Centre-Forward
Rummenigge is regarded as one of the greatest German football players of all time. In the wake of Walter, Seeler, and Muller, he has made sure that Germany’s offensive unit has maintained its worldwide level of clinical instinct.
3. Lothar Matthaus
- Date of birth: Mar 21, 1961
- Place of birth: Erlangen Germany
- Height: 1,74 m
- Position: Midfielder – Defensive Midfield
One of the best German football players of all time is Lothar Matthaus. With 150 appearances, Germany has by far the most appearances ever. This includes winning the World Cup in 1990 and the Euro in 1980, as well as placing second in the World Cups in 1982 and 1986.
2. Gerd Muller
- Date of birth: Nov 3, 1945
- Place of birth: Nordlingen Germany
- Height: 1,76 m
- Position: Forward – Centre-Forward
Gerd Muller already holds a large number of scoring records. The prolific scorer, who is tied for first place with Miroslav Klose for Germany, did it in far less games than Klose.
1. Franz Beckenbauer
- Date of birth: Sep 11, 1945
- Place of birth: Munchen Germany
- Height: 1,81 m
- Position: Defender – Sweeper
One of the all-time greatest soccer players is Franz Beckenbauer. a central defender who can also play in the middle of the field. He is now credited with creating the modern sweeper or libero position.