Last update 26 March, 2026 by Alberto Llopis
Ranking updated in 2026
Who are the Best German players ever? Football is a sport played eleven against eleven and in which the Germans always win. Gary Lineker once said one of the most used to describe the German football phrases. A truth as a temple which refers to a country capable of winning 4 World Cups, 3 Eurocopas, Olympic Games and other major titles not a few more minor.
As power at the highest level, its long history has left us countless talented footballers. Precisely, in those players we focus today on Colgados for football, in the best German players of all time. That is our proposal within the complicated and subjective it may be the choice.
How was this ranking created??
This ranking of the best german players in history It is based on the individual impact of each footballer, their collective titles, his performance in international competitions and his legacy in world football. Germany has been one of the great powers of football, Therefore, entering this list implies being part of the historical elite of the sport..
Ranking of the best German players in history
- Franz Beckenbauer – Kaiser revolutionized football as a libero and is considered the best German player of all time.
- Lothar Matthäus – Absolute leader of Germany for more than a decade and Ballon d'Or winner.
- Gerd Müller – One of the greatest scorers in football history.
- Miroslav Klose – Top scorer in World Cup history.
- Karl-Heinz Rummenigge – Elegance, goal and leadership in the European elite.
- Uwe Seeler – Historical reference of German football.
- Philipp Lahm – Captain and symbol of the World Cup 2014.
- Bastian Schweinsteiger – Driver of the midfield for years.
- Oliver Kahn – One of the best goalkeepers in history.
- Thomas Müller – Tactical intelligence and constant performance.
Who is the best German player in history?
Franz Beckenbauer is considered the best German player in history for his influence on football, his leadership and his ability to change the game from the libero position. World champion as player and coach, His legacy places him at the top of German football.
Comparison of the best German players
| Player | World | Ballon d'Or | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beckenbauer | 1974 | 2 | Defense/Libero |
| Matthew | 1990 | 1 | Midfielder |
| Gerd Müller | 1974 | 1 | Forward |
| Klose | 2014 | 0 | Forward |
The best players in German history
Franz Beckenbauer
One of the greatest of all time. A defensive midfielder, a central, one Libero rule throughout surprised the world by not only perform defensive duties, but also creation.
It was not enough for the Kaiser to destroy the rival attack, I had to get the ball playing, initiating the move. His charisma is beyond rule, as his character with that image with the arm in a sling as a truer picture of his spirit. 103 international matches, 50 of them as captain, He won a World, 1 Euro Cup, 4 Bundesliga, 4 German Cups and three Champions. The best defense that has ever existed. Died in 2023. The number 1 from the list of the best German players ever.
Lothar Matthäus
an eternal man, the player who more times defended the German shirt with a total of 150 appearances, many of them in five World, absolute record of a player in final stages. And it is that Terminator could play in any position except goalkeeper. It started as a defensive midfielder, It ended up being a perfect defense.
A globetrotter who won the World 90, the European Championship 80 and two UEFA Cups, one with Inter and one with Bayern, two teams of his career. ” It is the best opponent that I have faced throughout my career, I think that is enough to define”. The definition is Maradona, almost nothing to the apparatus. A fixture on the list of best german players in history.
Gerd Müller
The Torpedo scored 68 many for Germany y 365 in his career in the Bundesliga. A phenomenon, one of a kind, seven times top scorer in the German championship only had one goal: the opposing goal. A full-fledged He won the World Cup 74 being top scorer, four league titles, four cups of Germany, three European Cups and one Cup Winners Cup, plus an Intercontinental. A myth and one of the 9 largest in history. Died in 2021.
Fritz Walter
The passage of time should not hide one of the first Germans to stand out across the world football spectrum.. A sublime playmaker with a great sense of goal and great vision of the game thanks to a more refined technique. A man who could speak well on rainy days, like the famous Miracle of Bern, where was one of the architects of the comeback against Hungary and the first German title in a World.
Uwe Seeler
On his resume there is barely a league title with the Hamburg, the club he loves and where he developed his career with 518 parties and 416 so many in all the competitions he played. In the national team he could not win a great title either., but instead it has the honor of being the only one to have scored alongside Pele goals in four different world. And is that Uwe had it all. Intuition, auction, and a dash of genius that separates the good from the best. In fact, It is one of four honorary captains of the selection along with Walter, Beckenbauer y Matthew, which speaks of its enormous dimension.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
A myth that won the European Championship 80 and was a finalist in the World 82 y 86. Twice Golden Ball, Bayern Munich and the selection had in years 80 fortunate to have one of the best strikers in the decade. Talent, fortress, genius and much goal. It was that and more Rummenigge. So good that even dedicated a song.
Oliver Kahn
Outside series between the sticks. Con 557 goalkeeper games is that most times put gloves in Bundesliga. Best player World 2002 (it was the first time a goalkeeper), won 8 Bayern league with five Cups plus a European Cup and UEFA. It was safe, sober, He scared by the image of seriousness and strength transmitting both teammates and rivals. It became 803 minutes without conceding a bit. one of the best German players ever.
Andrea Brehme
The man who gave the victory to Germany in the final of Italy 90 and one of the protagonists of German victory in the Euro 1996. Their careers on the left side were memorable, as well as their ability to sacrifice and their continued support both defensive and offensive work. Died in 2023.
Jurgen Klinsmann
One of the great icons of German football in the years 90 who played 108 with the German and scored zamarra 47 goals. It was a technical marvel, but all did fairly well, especially, Score goals, his specialty. He won the World Cup 1990 and the Euro 1996 plus a Bundesliga.
Miroslav Klose
The top scorer in the history of Germany 71 goals. Opportunistically as the most, He scored five goals in a match with Lazio, Is the top scorer in World Cup history con 16 many. It is on merit, one of the best German players ever.
Other great German footballers in history
Germany has produced numerous elite footballers who could enter this ranking. names like: Mathias Summer, Rudy Full, Sepp Meier, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Michael Ballack, Jürgen Kholer, Paul Breitner, Andreas Möller, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer..
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