The 33 Greatest Bundesliga Players of All Time – Ranked from Lowest to Highest
The Bundesliga has been home to some of the greatest footballers in history, producing legendary goal scorers, defensive powerhouses, and midfield maestros who have shaped the game. From record-breaking strikers to tactical innovators, the league has played a crucial role in football’s evolution.
Earning a place among the best in a league filled with iconic players is no small feat. We’ve taken a deep dive into Bundesliga history, this is our ranking of the 33 greatest players of all time.
33. Jens Lehmann
One of the most charismatic and reliable goalkeepers in Bundesliga history, Jens Lehmann made his mark with Schalke 04 and Borussia Dortmund. Known for his reflexes and leadership, he played a crucial role in Dortmund’s Bundesliga title win in 2002.
32. Thomas Häßler
A technically gifted midfielder, Häßler was a key playmaker for clubs like Köln and Karlsruhe. His vision and precise passing made him one of the best German midfielders of his era.
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31. Felix Magath
Magath was a creative and intelligent midfielder for Hamburger SV in the late 1970s and early 80s. He played a crucial role in their domestic and European success, including scoring the winning goal in the 1983 European Cup final.
30. Bernd Schuster
A midfield maestro, Schuster made his Bundesliga breakthrough with 1. FC Köln before moving to Spain. Though his Bundesliga career was short, his talent was undeniable.
29. Lukas Podolski
Known for his powerful left foot, Podolski was a fan favorite at 1. FC Köln and Bayern Munich. He combined pace, technique, and an eye for goal, making him one of Germany’s best forwards in the 2000s.
28. Rudi Völler
A clinical striker with great positioning, Völler starred for Werder Bremen before achieving international success. His finishing ability made him one of the most reliable goal scorers of his generation.
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27. Andreas Möller
Möller was a creative midfielder who played for Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt. His technical ability and vision made him a key part of Dortmund’s 1990s success.
26. David Alaba
One of the most versatile players in Bundesliga history, Alaba was a crucial part of Bayern Munich’s dominance in the 2010s. Whether playing as a left-back, center-back, or midfielder, his intelligence and technical skills stood out.
25. Marco Reus
Reus has been the heart and soul of Borussia Dortmund for over a decade. Despite frequent injuries, his dribbling, creativity, and leadership have made him a Bundesliga legend.
24. Claudio Pizarro
The Peruvian forward is one of the highest-scoring foreign players in Bundesliga history. With an impressive career at Bayern Munich and Werder Bremen, his consistency and technical ability made him a standout.
23. Jupp Heynckes
Before becoming a legendary coach, Heynckes was a prolific striker for Borussia Mönchengladbach, leading them to multiple Bundesliga titles in the 1970s.
22. Toni Kroos
Kroos made his Bundesliga debut with Bayern Munich, showcasing exceptional passing and vision. Though he later moved to Real Madrid, his impact on the Bundesliga was immense.
21. Kevin Keegan
The English star brought international flair to the Bundesliga with Hamburger SV, winning the Ballon d’Or twice while playing in Germany.
20. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
One of the most electrifying forwards in Bundesliga history, Aubameyang’s pace and finishing ability made him a goal machine for Borussia Dortmund.
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19. Stefan Effenberg
A midfield enforcer with technical elegance, Effenberg captained Bayern Munich to their 2001 Champions League triumph and was known for his leadership and tough playing style.
18. Paul Breitner
A dynamic and intelligent player, Breitner starred for Bayern Munich as both a left-back and midfielder. His tactical flexibility and attacking contributions set him apart.
17. Sepp Maier
One of the greatest goalkeepers in Bundesliga history, Maier was a Bayern Munich legend known for his incredible reflexes and reliability between the posts.
16. Uwe Seeler
A loyal one-club man, Seeler was a legendary striker for Hamburger SV, scoring over 400 goals for the club and earning admiration for his sportsmanship.
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15. Michael Ballack
A dominant midfielder with exceptional technique and goal-scoring ability, Ballack was a key figure for Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich in the 2000s.
14. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Schweinsteiger transitioned from winger to world-class central midfielder at Bayern Munich. His intelligence and leadership were crucial to the club’s success.
13. Philipp Lahm
One of the most intelligent and consistent defenders in football history, Lahm captained Bayern Munich and Germany to multiple titles.
12. Franck Ribéry
A creative force on the wing, Ribéry was instrumental in Bayern’s success, forming a deadly partnership with Arjen Robben.
11. Arjen Robben
The Dutch winger’s signature move—cutting inside from the right wing and scoring—became legendary. He played a crucial role in Bayern Munich’s decade of dominance.
10. Thomas Müller
A unique player with incredible positioning and goal-scoring instincts, Müller has been one of the Bundesliga’s most consistent performers for over a decade.
9. Miroslav Klose
Known for his incredible heading ability and movement, Klose shone in the Bundesliga before becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history.
8. Jürgen Klinsmann
A dynamic and aggressive striker, Klinsmann excelled at both Stuttgart and Bayern Munich, leaving a lasting mark on German football.
7. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Rummenigge was an elite forward who dominated the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich in the late 1970s and early 80s.
6. Manuel Neuer
Revolutionizing the goalkeeper position, Neuer’s ability to play as a “sweeper-keeper” made him a game-changer for Bayern Munich and Germany.
5. Oliver Kahn
A commanding presence in goal, Kahn’s leadership and intensity made him one of the best goalkeepers of all time.
4. Lothar Matthäus
A complete midfielder, Matthäus played a vital role in Bayern’s success and won the Ballon d’Or in 1990.
3. Robert Lewandowski
One of the most prolific strikers in Bundesliga history, Lewandowski shattered records with both Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
2. Franz Beckenbauer
“Der Kaiser” redefined the sweeper role and led Bayern Munich to multiple domestic and international titles.
1. Gerd Müller
No player has had a bigger impact on Bundesliga goal-scoring history than Gerd Müller. With 365 goals, his finishing ability remains unmatched, cementing him as the greatest Bundesliga player of all time.
