Famous German Football Players
Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
There is no denying the fact that Germany has some of the world’s best football players in the history of the game. Had it not been so, Germany wouldn’t have clutched the title of World Champions for the fourth time in 2014, non-consecutively in the 17 tournaments held. What’s more, it has three titles out of the ten European Championships held till date. Furthermore, it is the only nation to have won both men’s and women’s World Cups. Excepting for the titles, Germany has been first runner-up thrice in European Championships and four times in World Cups till date. The list itself concludes the exemplary performance by German footballing legends, who have time and again done their country proud, with their outstanding performance on field. German football players hold the distinction of having six World Cup medals, including Gold, silver and bronze. Such has been their strong performance and representation of the game that German players have become household names even to those who do not follow football. Names like Miroslav Klose, Gerd Muller, Paul Breitner, Lothar Matthaus, Franz Beckenbauer are legendary to the game of football and Germany. Know more about each of them and many more spectacular football players, their life and their game with this section.
Vote for Your Favourite German Football Players
1
Mesut Ozil(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as Midfielder)
Birthdate: October 15, 1988
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
German footballer Mesut Özil, who now plays for the Premier League club Arsenal, has won Germany the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He also earned a record five German Player of the Year awards. However, he later retired from the German team, citing discrimination due to his Turkish descent.
Birthdate: September 11, 1945
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Munich, Germany
German former footballer Franz Beckenbauer spent most of his career with Bayern Munich, winning championships such as the European Cup. He won the World Cup for West Germany twice, first as a player in 1974 and then as a manager in 1990. He was also a Sky Germany analyst.
3
Gerd Müller(One of the Greatest Football Goal Scorers of All Time)
Birthdate: November 3, 1945
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Nördlingen, Germany
Died: August 15, 2021
German footballer Gerd Müller, also known as "Bomber der Nation," had a successful stint with Bayern Munich. His score of 85 goals in a single year was broken by Lionel Messi after 4 decades. He scored the winning goal for West Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup.
4
Bastian Schweinsteiger
(German Former Professional Footballer Who Played as a Central Midfielder)
Birthdate: August 1, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Kolbermoor, Germany
Bastian Schweinsteiger is a German former football player. Considered one of the greatest midfielders ever, Schweinsteiger was renowned for his tackling ability. Schweinsteiger represented Germany in three World Cups, playing a major role in his team's victory in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. One of the greatest German footballers of all time, Schweinsteiger is the fourth most-capped player for Germany.
5
Philipp Lahm
(Former German Footballer Who Played as a Defender)
Birthdate: November 11, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Munich, Germany
Birthdate: June 15, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Germany
7
Jérôme Boateng
(German Football Defender Known for His Association with 'Bayern Munich')
Birthdate: September 3, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
Starting his career with the club Tennis Borussia Berlin, German footballer Jérôme Boateng later had a decade-long association with Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga 9 times and the UEFA Champions League twice with Bayern. The talented center-back was also part of the 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning German squad.
8
Manuel Neuer(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: March 27, 1986
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Considered one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer is a German football player. He is the captain of German national team as well as his club Bayern Munich. Described as a sweeper-keeper due to his unique playing style, Neuer was part of the German team that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the decade from 2011 to 2020 by IFFHS.
9
Mario Gómez(German Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Striker)
Birthdate: July 10, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Riedlingen, Germany
Mario Gómez is a German former footballer who played for the Germany national football team between 2007 and 2018, during which he represented Germany in two FIFA World Cups and three UEFA European Championships. He was also an important member of the popular club Bayern Munich as he helped the team secure several trophies, such as the UEFA Champions League.
10
Mats Hummels
(Association football player)
Birthdate: December 16, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bergisch Gladbach
11
Marc-André ter Stegen
(Football player)
Birthdate: April 30, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mönchengladbach, Germany
12
Sami Khedira
(Former footballer central midfielder position)
Birthdate: April 4, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
13
Thomas Müller(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: September 13, 1989
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Weilheim in Oberbayern, Germany
Thomas Müller, who is a prominent member of the Germany national football team, is a versatile footballer; he can play at various positions, such as centre forward, left wing, and right wing. He played key roles in Germany's performance in the 2010 World Cup, Euro Cup 2012, 2014 World Cup, and 2018 World Cup.
Birthdate: June 9, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Opole, Poland
Born to a footballer father and a handball player mother, Polish-born German striker Miroslav Klose soared to fame with clubs such as Bayern Munich and Lazio. Germany has won all games in which Klose has scored. Germany’s all-time top goal-scorer, Klose scored 5 goals in his first World Cup itself.
15
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
(Forward)
Birthdate: September 25, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lippstadt, Germany
16
Toni Kroos(German Professional Football Player Who Played as a Midfielder)
Birthdate: January 4, 1990
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Greifswald, Germany
German midfielder Toni Kroos has won two La Ligas and three UEFA Champions Leagues with his current team Real Madrid. He has previously helped Bayern Munich win three Bundesliga titles and one FIFA Cup World Cup. He also led Germany to a FIFA World Cup win in 2014.
17
İlkay Gündoğan
(German Football Midfielder)
Birthdate: October 24, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Known as an energetic midfielder, German footballer İlkay Gündoğan began his youth career with teams such as Schalke 04. He has had a successful stint with Borussia Dortmund, winning a Bundesliga with them, and now plays for Manchester City, with which he has won 4 Premier Leagues and 4 EFL Cups.
18
Leon Goretzka
(Association football player)
Birthdate: February 6, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bochum
19
Timo Werner(German Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Birthdate: March 6, 1996
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
Timo Werner is a German football player who plays for the German national team and Chelsea Football Club. A prolific goalscorer, Werner was the second-highest goalscorer in the Bundesliga in the 2019–20 season. An intelligent player, Timo Werner is also known for his pace and determination. He represented his national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
20
Andre Schurrle
(German footballer)
Birthdate: November 6, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ludwigshafen
21
Serge Gnabry(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Winger)
Birthdate: July 14, 1995
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
German footballer Serge Gnabry was scouted by VfB at age 12. Though he also excelled in track and field, too, he later chose football. At the 2016 Olympics, he helped Germany win the silver and was also the joint top-scorer. He is part of the philanthropic initiative Common Goal.
22
Marco Reus(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder / Forward)
Birthdate: May 31, 1989
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dortmund, Germany
Marco Reus is a German football player who plays for the Germany national team and the popular Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. Known for his speed, versatility, technical skills, and shooting ability, Reus was named the Footballer of the Year (Germany) in 2012. In 2013, 2014, and 2019, Marco Reus helped Borussia Dortmund win the prestigious DFL-Supercup.
Birthdate: March 21, 1961
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Erlangen, Germany
German football coach and former player Lothar Matthäus, one of the world’s greatest midfielders, became the European Footballer of the Year after captaining the side to their 1990 FIFA World Cup win. He also led Germany to win the UEFA Euro 1980. He spent most of his senior career with Bayern Munich.
24
Bernd Leno
(Football player)
Birthdate: March 4, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany
25
Sead Kolašinac
(Footballer)
Birthdate: June 20, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Germany
26
Leroy Sané(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Winger)
Birthdate: January 11, 1996
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Essen, Germany
Leroy Sané is a German professional football player who played a prominent role in helping Manchester City win the EFL Cup and the Premier League for which he was named PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2017–18 season. Also an important member of the German national team, Sané can also represent France as he also holds French citizenship.
27
Michael Ballack
(Football player)
Birthdate: September 26, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Görlitz, Germany
28
Mario Götze(German Professional Football Player Who Plays As Attacking Midfielder / Forward)
Birthdate: June 3, 1992
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Memmingen, Germany
Midfielder Mario Götze led Germany to their World Cup win in 2014, scoring the winning goal. He began his career at 9, with Borussia Dortmund. He was awarded the 2011 Golden Boy Award. His move to Bayern Munich for €37 million made him the second-most expensive German player in history.
29
Bert Trautmann
(German Football Player Who Played as a Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: October 22, 1923
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Bremen, Germany
Died: July 19, 2013
Bert Trautmann was a German football player who played as a goalkeeper for popular teams like Manchester City and St Helens Town. He made 508 appearances for the Manchester City from 1949 to 1964. Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation, Bert Trautmann was made an inductee of the National Football Museum's Hall of Fame in 2005.
30
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
(Footballer forward position)
Birthdate: March 23, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
31
Cédric Soares
(Portuguese Footballer Who Plays as a Defender)
Birthdate: August 31, 1991
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Singen (Hohentwiel), Germany
Cédric Soares is a Portuguese football player who plays as a defender for the Portugal national team. He was part of the team that won the 2016 UEFA European Football Championship and also represented Portugal at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Apart from his national team, Cédric Soares is also currently a part of the Arsenal Football Club.
32
Robert Huth
(Association football player)
Birthdate: August 18, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Biesdorf
33
Jens Lehmann
(German Football player-Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: November 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Essen, Germany
34
Hakan Çalhanoğlu
(Football Attacking Midfielder)
Birthdate: February 8, 1994
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
35
Julian Draxler
(Football player)
Birthdate: September 20, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gladbeck, Germany
36
Shkodran Mustafi
(Footballer)
Birthdate: April 17, 1992
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Bad Hersfeld, Hesse, Germany
37
Thomas Tuchel
(German Football Coach, Manager and Former Player)
Birthdate: August 29, 1973
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Krumbach
After a short-lived playing career, which ended with a knee injury, German former footballer Thomas Tuchel joined a business administration course and also worked as a waiter in a bar. However, his love for football made him take up coaching, and he ended up managing teams such as Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
38
Loris Karius
(German Football Goalkeeper)
Birthdate: June 22, 1993
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Biberach, Germany
German footballer Loris Karius was initially encouraged to become a motocross rider by his father, but he chose football instead. A promising goalkeeper, he has played for Liverpool, and was part of the club squad that managed to reach the runner-up spot at the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League.
39
Joël Matip
(Football Centre-back player)
Birthdate: August 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bochum, Germany
40
Ralf Rangnick
(Association football player, Association football manager)
Birthdate: June 29, 1958
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Backnang
41
Lukas Podolski(German Professional Football Player Who Plays as a Forward)
Birthdate: June 4, 1985
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Gliwice, Poland
Lukas Podolski is a German football player renowned for his powerful and accurate kicks, technique, and explosive style of play. The third most-capped player in the history of German football, Podolski helped the German national team win the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He is also the third-highest goalscorer in the history of German soccer.
42
Cenk Tosun
(Turkish Professional Footballer Who Plays as a Striker)
Birthdate: June 7, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Wetzlar, Germany
43
Emre Can
(Footballer central midfielder, defender position)
Birthdate: January 12, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
44
Uwe Seeler
(Association football player)
Birthdate: November 5, 1936
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Hamburg
45
Jamal Musiala
(German Professional Footballer Who Plays as an Attacking Midfielder or Winger)
Birthdate: February 26, 2003
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
46
Youssoufa Moukoko
(Footballer striker position)
Birthdate: November 20, 2004
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Yaoundé, Cameroon
47
Kevin Trapp
(Football player)
Birthdate: July 8, 1990
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Merzig, Germany
48
Per Mertesacker
(Center back who became a longtime fixture of Germany's national team after debuting in 2004)
Birthdate: September 29, 1984
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Hanover, Germany
49
Robert Enke
(Association football player)
Birthdate: August 24, 1977
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Jena
Died: November 10, 2009
Birthdate: April 13, 1960
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Hanau