7 Best German Soccer Players Of All-Time

German soccer is renowned for creating some of the greatest soccer players to have ever graced the game.

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Many Germans have found great success across Europe’s top leagues and have aided their country in claiming the sport’s most prestigious international honors. 

But who are the best German Soccer players of all-time?

7. Miroslav Klose

Prolific striker Miroslav Klose is one of the best German Soccer players of all-time. He featured most notably for Werder Bremen along with spells at Bayern Munich and Serie A side Lazio.

Klose made his international debut in 2001, representing his country across a thirteen-year period, winning a total of 137 caps and scoring a record breaking 71 goals for Germany. He was also part of a national team that won the 2014 World Cup. 

6. Gunter Netzer

Attacking midfielder Gunter Netzer represented sides across some of Europe’s major leagues including Borussia Monchengladbach and Real Madrid. He made 408 club appearances and scored 120 goals in the process. 

Amongst the best German Soccer players of all-time, Netzer became an established global star at the 1972 European Championships and 1974 World Cup with Germany victorious in both competitions. 

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5. Uwe Seeler

Uwe Seeler is one of the best German Soccer players of all-time. The striker spent the majority of his career at Bundesliga side Hamburger SV. He scored a remarkable 490 goals across an eighteen-year period and 580 appearances. 

Seeler made his international debut in 1954, going on to claim 72 caps and scoring an impressive 43 international goals. He featured at the 1966 World Cup and finished as runner-up with West Germany following defeat to England at Wembley Stadium.

4. Lothar Matthaus

Majestic Sweeper Lothar Matthaus played nearly 800 times for the likes of Inter Milan and Bayern Munich whilst also scoring 204 goals at club level.

As one of the best German Soccer players of all-time, Matthaus represented his country across five major international tournaments. He also captained Germany during their victorious 1990 World Cup campaign and even scored three times at the tournament. 

3. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Amongst the best German Soccer players of all-time, forward Karl-Heinz Rummenigge made his international debut in 1976, representing the national team for a decade and scoring 45 goals in 90 appearances. He also helped drive Germany to victory at the 1980 European Championships.

Rummenigge played 593 times throughout his club career for top European teams such as Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. He scored 293 club goals across a 15-year period, going on to win the European Cup twice with Bayern Munich in 1975 and 1976.

2. Gerd Muller

Legendary striker Gerd Muller spent the majority of his playing career at German side Bayern Munich, making 605 appearances and scoring an incredible 563 goals for the club – still a Bundesliga record he holds today. He won three consecutive European Cups with Bayern from 1974 to 1976.

Muller is amongst the best German Soccer players of all-time. Whilst earning just 62 caps for his country he still scored an impressive 68 goals. He was part of the West Germany team who won both the 1972 European Championships and World Cup in 1974.

1. Franz Beckenbauer

Undoubtedly one of the best German Soccer players of all-time is the iconic Franz Beckenbauer. The revolutionary defender turned sweeper played most notably for Bayern Munich across a fourteen-year period, making 584 appearances whilst lifting fourteen honours including four Bundesliga titles and three European Cups.

Beckenbauer earned 103 caps for West Germany and holds the record for his country’s most consecutive international appearances with 60. He appeared in six major tournaments, famously driving his country to victory during the 1972 European Championships and 1974 World Cup.