Lothar Matthaus

Lothar Matthäus captained West Germany to victory in the 1990 FIFA World Cup and played in five FIFA World Cups in total (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994 and 1998), more than any other outfield player. He remains the only German player to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year award. Matthaus is the most capped German player of all time with 150 appearances and 23 goals.

Full name	Lothar Herbert Matthäus
Date of birth	21 March 1961
Place of birth	Erlangen, West Germany
Position	Midfielder / Sweeper

Lothar Matthäus became the symbol of German domination of football during the 1980s.

Ten years after his mentor Franz Beckenbauer, Matthäus reigned over world football thanks to his “complete” player profile; able to play just as well in offense or defence.

Lothar Matthäus won seven German championships with Bayern Munich, three German cups, two UEFA Cups (with Inter Milan and Bayern) the European Football Championship in 1980, the World Cup in 1990 (finalist in 1982 and 1986) and the Ballon d’Or in 1990.

Diego Maradona said of Matthäus: “He is the best rival I have ever had.”