Best German midfielders of all time

As you already know, Germany is a country with a rich history in the world of football, as well as being one of the most successful lands in this popular sport. Many brilliant players have been from there since the old times, which shows the great talent of the Germans in football. This fact also indicates the outstanding system of football in Germany as a lot of these players have been trained in their native country, where is a footballer-producing land.

In this article on SportMob, we are going to have a look at the

world’s best German midfielders of all time

. Here we will go over their football career and achievements. So stay with us and keep reading.

Top German midfielders of all time

Without wasting time anymore, let’s go through the

best German midfielders in football history

.

Toni Kroos

Birthday

: 4 January 1990

Birthplace

: Greifswald

The first name on our list for the best German midfielders of all time is

’s brilliant player,

. Born in Greifswald, this outstanding footballer took his first steps in football at Greifswalder SC in 1997 when he was only 7 years old. After 5 years, he moved to Hansa Rostock and kicked the ball there until 2006.

In 2006, Kroos joined

and a year later, his senior career started. This brilliant midfielder played for the Bavarians until 2014, except kicking the ball for

in the 2009/10 season under a loan. Since 2014, he has been playing for his current club, Real Madrid.

Tony Kroos, who is one of the

greatest German midfielders ever

, has won 3 Bundesliga titles, 2 DFB Pokal, 1 DFL Super Cup, 1 Champions League, 1 UEFA Super Cup, and 1 FIFA Club World Cup with Bayern Munich, 2 La Liga titles, 2 Supercopa de Espana, 3 UCL, 2 UEFA Super Cup, and 4 Club World Cup titles with Real Madrid, and the World Cup 2014 title with Mannschaft.

It is interesting to know that Kroos won 3 UCL titles with The Whites in 3 seasons in a row, 2015/16, 2016/17, and 2017/18. His most important individual achievements are:

•  German Footballer of the Year in 2018

•  FIFA World Cup Dream Team in 2014

•  UEFA Team of the Year in 2014, 2016, and 2017

Thomas Hassler

•  Birthday

  : 30 May 1966

Birthplace

: Berlin

The next footballer among the

best German midfielders of all time

is Thomas Hassler, who used to be a world-class playmaker. This brilliant player took his first steps in football at BFC Meteor 06 in 1976. He kicked the ball for this team for 3 years and then joined Reinickendorfer Fuchse. Hassler played for this team until 1984.

In 1984, the senior career of this German midfielder started as he moved to

. Hassler kicked the ball for The Billy Goats for 6 seasons and then signed with

. However, he played there for only 1 season and in 1991, this brilliant footballer joined Roma.

Hassler played for

until 1994 and then moved to

, where he kicked the ball for 4 years. After that, he joined

and in 1999, he moved to 1860 Munchen. This eye-catching midfielder played for this club until 2003 and then signed with

, where he finished his career in 2004.

Thomas Hassler, who is one of the

greatest German midfielders of all time

, became runner-up in UEFA Europa League and DFB Pokal, Supercoppa Italiana, and Coppa Italia. He won the World Cup 1990 and Euro 1996 with the national team of Germany, as well as being the runner-up in the Euro 1992.

Having a looked at his managerial career, it is seen that Hassler has worked at Koln, Shahr Khodro, and the national team of Nigeria as an assistant. He managed Berlin United from 2016 until 2019 and then joined BFC Preussen, where he is managing now. His most outstanding individual achievements are:

•  Footballer of the Year in Germany in 1989 and 1992

•  World Cup Top Assist Provider in 1994

Pierre Littbarski 

•  Birthplace

  : Berlin

Birthday

: 16 April 1960

The next name on our list for the best German midfielders of all time is Pierre Littbarski. This outstanding footballer started his professional career at FC Koln in 1978. He played for The Billy Goats until 1986, winning a DFB Pokal title. This attacking midfielder then moved to RC Paris, however, he left there after only 1 season.

In 1987, Littbarski moved back to Koln and kicked the ball for this club until 1993. After that, he went to Japan to sign with

, where he played for 2 seasons. This German midfielder then joined Brummell Sendai and in 1997, he ended his career as a footballer.

During his managerial career, Pierre Littbarski, who is one of the

best German midfielders ever

, worked at Bayer Leverkusen and

as an assistant and managed Yokohama FC, MSV Duisburg, Sydney FC, Avispa Fukuoka, Saipa Tehran, FC Vaduz, and Wolfsburg. 

Helmut Rahn

•  Place of Death

  : Essen

Birthday

: 16 August 1929

Birthplace

: Essen

Date of Death

: 14 August 2003

The next footballer among the

best German midfielders of all time

is Helmut Rahn. This brilliant footballer began playing football at SV Altenessen in 1945, the year that the 2nd World War ended. His senior career started a year later and he kicked the ball for this club until 1949.

In 1949, Rahn joined SC Oelde 09, however, he left there after only 1 season to join Sportfreunde Katernberg. Again after 1 season, this brilliant player joined Rot-Weiss Essen. He played there for 8 years, winning a DFB Pokal and a league title. The 1952/53 DFB Pokal, which Rahn won with Rot-Weiss Essen, was the first cup that was held after the World War.

In 1959, Helmut Rahn moved to FC Koln but after 1 season, he joined Sports club Enschede in 1960. This German player kicked the ball for this team until 1963 and then joined Meidericher SV, where he finished his career in 1965.

Helmut Rahn, who is one of the greatest German midfielders ever, won the World Cup 1954 with West Germany and founded the “Miracle of Bern” by scoring the winning goal of the Germans in the final match against Hungary, the match which they won 3-2.

It is also interesting to know that Rahn was given the nickname “The Boss” due to his leading ability on the pitch. Let’s move on to the next footballer on our list.

Wolfgang Overath

•  Birthday

  : 29 September 1943

Birthplace

: Siegburg

Wolfgang Overath is also one of the best German midfielders of all time. This former attacking midfielder took his first steps in football at Siegburger SV 04 in 1953 at the age of 10. He spent his junior career playing for this team and in 1963, the senior career of this brilliant footballer started as he signed with Koln.

Overath played for The Billy Goat for his entire senior career until he ended it in 1977. He won 1 league and 2 Bundesliga titles with FC Koln. This former player, who is one of the best German midfielders ever, won the World Cup 1974 with West Germany.

Gunther Netzer

•  Birthplace

  : Monchengladbach

Birthday

: 14 September 1944

The next name on our list for the best German midfielders of all time is Gunther Nertzer. Born in Monchengladbach, this former footballer started playing at 1. FC Monchengladbach in 1952. He kicked the ball for this team until 1963 and then his senior career started as he joined

.

Netzer played for this club for 10 years and then moved to Real Madrid in 1973. This brilliant midfielder, who is considered one of the best midfielders in the history of Bundesliga, played for The Whites until 1976 and then moved to Grasshopper Club Zurich. After only one season, Netzer finished his career as a footballer.

Gunther Netzer, who is one of the

top German midfielders of all time

, won 2 Bundesliga titles and 1 DFB Pokal with Monchengladbach and 2 La Liga titles and 2 Copa del Rey with Real Madrid. He also won the World Cup 1974 and Euro 1972 with West Germany. His most important individual achievements are:

•  Footballer of the Year in Germany in 1972 and 1973

•  The goal of the Year in Germany in 1972 and 1973

Michael Ballack

•  Birthplace

  : Gorlitz

Birthday

: 26 September 1976

The next footballer among the best German midfielders of all time is

, who is one of the best footballers that was trained in Germany. This outstanding player took his first steps in football in 1983 as his parents sent him to BSG Motor “Fritz Heckert” Karl-Marx-Stadt. 5 years later, Ballack moved to Chemnitzer FC.

In 1995, his senior career started and this outstanding footballer played for Chemnitzer FC until 1997. After that, Ballack joined FC Kaiserslautern, where he kicked the ball until 1999. Then he joined Bayer Leverkusen and played there until 2002.

In 2002, Ballack moved to Bayern Munich and played for the Bavarians until 2006. This brilliant midfielder then joined

and kicked the ball for the Blues of London for 4 years. in 2010, he moved back to Bayer Leverkusen in after 2 seasons, he announced his retirement.

Michael Ballack, who is among the world’s best German midfielders of all time, won 1 Bundesliga title with Kaiserslautern, 3 Bundesliga titles and 3 DFB Pokal with Bayern Munich, and 1 Premier League, 13 FA Cup, 1 EFL Cup, and 1 FA Community Shield with Chelsea. He also became the runner-up in the 2001/02 DFB Pokal with Bayer Leverkusen and twice in the UEFA Champions League, one time with Chelsea and one time with Bayer Leverkusen.

Michael Ballack reached 2nd place in the World Cup 2002 and Euro 2008 with Mannschaft. He also reached 3rd place in the World Cup 2006 and FIFA Confederations Cup 2005. His most important individual achievements are:

•  UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002

•  Footballer of the Year in Germany in 2002, 2003, and 2005

•  Being in the list of the FIFA 100 by Pele in 2004

Bastian Schweinsteiger

Birthday

: 1 August 1984

Birthplace

: Kolbermoor

The next name on our list for the

best German midfielders of all time

is the retired footballer,

. As the former Bundestrainer,

has said, Schweini is one of the greatest players that Germany has produced.

Basti took his first steps in football at FV Oberaudorf in 1990, when he was only 6 years old. 2 years later, this outstanding player moved to TSV 1860 Rosenheim and after 6 years, he joined Bayern Munich.

In 2001, the senior career of this brilliant footballer began and he kicked the ball for the Bavarians until 2015, which means the most of his career. After that, Schweini joined

, where he played for 2 years. Basti then moved to

, where he ended his career in 2019.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who is one of the best German midfielders in football history, won 8 Bundesliga titles, 7 DFB Pokal, 1 DFL Super Cup, and 1 UEFA Champions League with FC Bayern, and 1 FA Cup and 1 Europa League title with Manchester United. this outstanding player also won the World Cup 2014 with the Mannschaft. His most important individual achievements are:

•  Footballer of the Year in Germany in 2013

•  World Cup 2010 Top Assists Provider

Fritz Walter

Birthday

: 31 October 1920

Birthplace

: Kaiserslautern

Date of Death

: 17 June 2002

Place of Death

: Enkenbach-Alsenborn

Fritz Walter is also one of the best German midfielders of all time. This brilliant footballer started playing football professionally at

in 1939. He kicked the ball for this team for his entire career, winning 2 league titles. He ended his career at Kaiserslautern in 1959.

Fritz Walter was the captain of the German national team in the World Cup 1954, in which the Germans won the title. Along with his brother, Ottmar Walter, they are the first siblings to win a World Cup together.  

Lothar Matthaus 

Birthday

: 21 March 1961

Birthplace

: Erlangen

The last name on our list for the greatest German midfielders of all time is

, who is one of the best footballers in history. This outstanding player started kicking the ball at FC Herzogenaurach in 1971. 7 years later, his senior career started and he played for this team until 1979.

In 1979, Matthaus joined Monchengladbach, where he kicked the ball for 5 years. after that, this brilliant footballer moved to Bayern Munich. He played for the Bavarians until 1988 and then joined

. After 4 seasons of playing for the Black and Blues, Matthaus moved back to Bayern Munich.

This outstanding midfielder played there for 8 years and then joined New York Metro Stars, where he ended his career in 2000. It is interesting to know that Matthaus played for the German national team for 20 years, which is longer than any other German player. He is also the only national player to play in 5 World Cup championships.

Lothar Matthaus won 1 Serie A title, 1 Supercoppa Italianna, and 1 Europa League with Inter, 7 Bundesliga title, 3 DFB Pokal, 1 Europa League, and 1 DFL Super Cup with Bayern Munich and 1 MLS Eastern Division Champion with Metro Stars. He also won the World Cup 1990 and Euro 1980 with the Mannschaft.

During his managerial career, Matthaus worked at Rapid Wien, Partizan, the national team of Hungary, Atletico Paranaense, Maccabi Netanya, and the national team of Bulgaria. He has also served as an assistant at Red Bull Salzburg. His most important individual achievements are:

•  Ballon d’Or in 1990

•  FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991

•  Footballer of the Year in Germany in 1990 and 1999

This was our article on the best German midfielders of all time. Thanks for reading. Do You want to add any other names? Share it with us in the comment section.

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