Germany’s 30 Greatest National Team Players – Ranked
With four World Cup titles and three European Championships, Germany has long been one of the most dominant forces in world football. Over the decades, the DFB has fielded some of the game’s most iconic players. Here's our countdown of the 30 greatest German internationals of all time – starting from number 30.
30. Joshua Kimmich
The only active player on this list – and already a mainstay. Whether at right-back or in midfield, Kimmich leads with intelligence, passion, and tactical excellence.
29. Helmut Rahn
“Rahn should shoot from the background!” – and he did. His goal in the 1954 final sealed Germany’s first World Cup and made him a national hero.
28. Thomas Häßler
It might surprise you: “Icke” earned 101 caps. A vital part of the 1990 World Cup squad, he was a consistent, creative force in midfield.
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27. Lukas Podolski
130 caps, a thunderous left foot, and a huge heart. Poldi wasn’t just a locker-room joker – he delivered when it mattered for years.
26. Guido Buchwald
Nicknamed “Diego” for nutmegging a teammate in training, Buchwald famously shut down Maradona in the 1990 final. A true warrior at the back.
25. Mats Hummels
Elegant and composed, Hummels brought finesse to central defense. Key to Germany’s 2014 World Cup triumph with his calm leadership and ball-playing ability.
24. Jürgen Kohler
105 caps, a rock in defense, and winner of both the World Cup and Euros. Kohler was one of the most reliable defenders of his generation.
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23. Uwe Seeler
43 goals in 72 appearances and forever loyal to Hamburg. Despite never winning a title, Seeler’s impact and spirit are etched in German football history.
22. Rudi Völler
“Tante Käthe” was a classic number 9 – smart, strong, and always in the right place. A key figure in the 1990 World Cup win.
21. Jürgen Klinsmann
A deadly finisher with 47 international goals. World and Euro champion, Klinsmann was electric in attack – long before his more controversial coaching days.
20. Georg Schwarzenbeck
Franz Beckenbauer’s silent enforcer at the back. “Katsche” wasn’t flashy, but his consistency made him vital to Germany’s 1970s dominance.
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19. Berti Vogts
97 caps, zero goals – but endless grit. The "Terrier" stuck to his man like glue and helped Germany lift both the 1972 Euro and 1974 World Cup.
18. Andreas Brehme
His cool penalty in the 1990 final won Germany the World Cup. More than that, Brehme was a dependable, technically gifted left-back.
17. Michael Ballack
Captain, midfield engine, and nearly always a finalist. Ballack was a complete player whose international career deserved more silverware.
16. Paul Breitner
A left-back turned midfield general. Breitner won the Euros and World Cup in the ‘70s, though a fallout with the coach limited his caps.
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15. Fritz Walter
Captain during the “Miracle of Bern” in 1954. The first German to lift the World Cup trophy, Walter was a selfless, visionary leader.
14. Thomas Müller
Not fast. Not flashy. Just effective. Müller scores, assists, and confuses defenders with uncanny movement. A true original – and a World Cup winner.
13. Wolfgang Overath
The quiet maestro of 1974. Overath started every game during Germany’s World Cup win, controlling the tempo from midfield.
12. Günter Netzer
Only 37 caps, but a timeless icon. Netzer was stylish, technically supreme, and a symbol of ‘70s football flair – even if often benched.
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11. Sepp Maier
Before Kahn and Neuer, there was “the Cat from Anzing.” One of Germany’s first great goalkeepers – and a cornerstone of the 1974 World Cup team.
10. Matthias Sammer
The only player here to also play for East Germany. After reunification, he starred as libero and won Euro 1996 – also earning European Footballer of the Year.
9. Oliver Kahn
Intimidating, relentless, legendary. Kahn was the standout keeper at the 2002 World Cup – despite a costly error in the final. A fierce competitor.
8. Miroslav Klose
Germany’s all-time top scorer (71 goals) and the World Cup's leading goal-getter. A humble, lethal striker who always delivered on the big stage.
7. Toni Kroos
Called "Sideways Toni" by critics, but few dictate games like him. A set-piece expert and midfield metronome with over 100 caps and countless trophies.
6. Bastian Schweinsteiger
Heart, grit, and leadership defined Schweini. His blood-and-sweat performance in the 2014 final epitomized his commitment to the team.
5. Manuel Neuer
The modern goalkeeper. Neuer’s sweeping style and footwork changed the position – while his shot-stopping remains world-class. A true giant.
4. Philipp Lahm
Quiet, consistent, world-class. Lahm was the ultimate team player – excelling at both fullback positions and in midfield, and captaining Germany to World Cup glory in 2014.
3. Lothar Matthäus
150 caps, a World Cup, a Euro title – and the only German to be named FIFA World Player of the Year. One of the all-time greats.
2. Gerd Müller
68 goals in 62 matches. Unmatched instincts in the box. “Der Bomber” was the ultimate poacher and a nightmare for defenders.
1. Franz Beckenbauer
The Kaiser. He reinvented the role of the sweeper, captained Germany to a World Cup, and embodied elegance and intelligence on the field. No debate: number one.
