Famous German Sportspersons
Germany is a sports-crazy nation. And if you don’t believe us, check this. In 2006, about 27.5 million people were members of the more than 91,000 sport clubs in Germany. And the numbers are growing ever since then. Having said that, it is only natural to understand that the country is home to greatest sporting legends, who have been masters of their game! Football, basketball, handball, ice hockey, motor sports, tennis, cycling, chess, boxing - name any and you would have a German in its list of world-class players from across the globe. German sportsperson have made their country stand tall on the world sporting forum with their glorious victories and triumphs. Be it footballer Miroslav Klose and his 71 goals record or Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s Formula One Championship trophies, Steffi Graf’s tennis titles or Margit Schumann’s Winter Olympics medals, Emanuel Chasker’s chess champion record or Bernard Langer and Martin Kaymer’s golfing glories, German sports people have dominated every game and made their country proud. They are blessed with mental strength, strong determination and undying passion which help them become masters of any format. With this segment, find out in details about the life and career of famous German sports personalities.
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Birthdate: January 3, 1969
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Hürth, Germany
With seven Formula One championship under his belt, Michael Schumacher is the most successful racer of Formula 1 and one of the greatest motor sports driver in the world. The retired German racer was the face of Ferrari for a decade and with his tremendous on track success also became one of best paid athletes in the sport’s history.
Birthdate: July 3, 1987
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Heppenheim, Germany
Widely considered one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history, Sebastian Vettel holds a number of records, including most podium finishes and most consecutive race wins. Sebastian has a unique habit of naming his cars as he feels it is important to share a close relationship with the cars that he drives.
Birthdate: June 14, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Mannheim, Germany
Known for her footwork and forehand drive, former world number one tennis star Steffi Graf has won 22 Grand Slam titles, the third all-time record. She became the first player to win four Grand Slams and the Olympic gold in a year. She is married to fellow player Andre Agassi.
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Birthdate: June 19, 1978
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Würzburg, Germany
The 7-foot-tall former Dallas Mavericks power forward Dirk Nowitzki led his team to 15 NBA play-offs, including their only NBA championship, in 2011. He is the only player to continue with a single NBA team for 21 seasons and first European-born to be the NBA Finals MVP.
Birthdate: June 27, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wiesbaden, Germany
The son of former Formula One world champion Keke Rosberg, Nico Rosberg followed in his father's footsteps to win the 2016 Formula One world championship. After announcing his retirement as a racing driver, Nico Rosberg became an eco-entrepreneur, helping with the construction of self-autonomous and electric vehicles. Rosberg has also worked with charities like Viva con Agua de Sankt Pauli.
Birthdate: April 20, 1997
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Hamburg, Germany
Alexander Zverev is a German tennis player. He won the 2018 ATP Finals, becoming the youngest champion at the year-end championship in 10 years. Zverev won the gold medal in the singles event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Alexander Zverev's backhand play is often regarded as one of the best in the game.
Birthdate: November 22, 1961
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Leimen, Germany
Boris Becker is a German former tennis player who has three Wimbledons, one US Open, and two Australian Open titles under his belt. He also won an Olympic gold medal in men's doubles in 1992. Becker, who had a successful start to his career, struggled to cope with his early fame and success; he retired at the age of 31.
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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: April 2, 1977
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany
Michael Fassbender is a critically-acclaimed Irish-German actor best known for playing a sex addict in the psychological erotic drama film Shame. Apart from being an actor, Michael is also a well-known racing driver; he started his auto racing career in 2017 and currently races for Proton Competition in the European Le Mans Series.
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.
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: 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.
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.
Birthdate: March 27, 1986, 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.
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.
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.
Birthdate: January 18, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bremen, Germany
Winning her first Grand Slam at 28, Angelique Kerber is an example of a talented later bloomer in tennis. The former World No. 1 German player is known for her defensive tactics, speed, and footwork. She blamed a 2-week COVID-related quarantine for her loss at the 2021 Australian Open.
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.
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: July 30, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Göppingen, Germany
Jürgen Klinsmann is a German football manager who guided the German national team throughout the 2006 FIFA World Cup, helping them finish third. A former player, Klinsmann helped the West German team win the 1990 World Cup. One of Germany's main strikers during the 1990s, Jürgen Klinsmann was named in Pele's FIFA 100 list in 2004.
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.
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.
Birthdate: June 15, 1969
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Germany
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.
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.
Birthdate: September 3, 1988
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
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.
Birthdate: March 3, 1993
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
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.
Birthdate: June 16, 1967
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Stuttgart
Jürgen Klopp is a German football manager and former player. He is the manager of the Liverpool football club and is considered as one of the best managers in the world. He has also been the manager of Borussia Dortmund. Liverpool won their first FIFA Club World Cup and first Premier League title under him. He is famous for his enthusiastic celebrations.
Birthdate: December 16, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bergisch Gladbach
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Max Schmeling(Boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932)
Birthdate: September 28, 1905
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Klein Luckow, Jatznick, Germany
Died: February 2, 2005
Birthdate: April 4, 1987
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Stuttgart, Germany
Birthdate: November 11, 1983
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Munich, Germany
Birthdate: May 14, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Adenau, Germany
Birthdate: September 26, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Görlitz, Germany
Birthdate: August 19, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Emmerich, Germany
Nico Hülkenberg initially worked as a forwarding agent at his father’s shipping company. He had started his racing career with go-karting at age 10 and grew up to race for Formula BMW, Formula Three, and GP2, among others. He scripted history by winning the Le Mans 24-hour endurance race in his first attempt.
Birthdate: November 6, 1990
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Ludwigshafen
Birthdate: March 28, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lausanne, Vaud, Switzerland
Stan Wawrinka is a Swiss tennis player who has won three Grand Slam titles so far in his career. At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Wawrinka won the gold medal for Switzerland in the doubles event along with teammate Roger Federer. At the 2014 Davis Cup, Stan Wawrinka played a key role in the Swiss team's victory.
Birthdate: April 30, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Mönchengladbach, Germany
Birthdate: September 25, 1955
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Lippstadt, Germany
Birthdate: September 20, 1993
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Gladbeck, Germany
Birthdate: February 24, 1874
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Chartiers, Pennsylvania, USA
Died: December 6, 1955
Birthdate: February 6, 1995
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bochum
Birthdate: March 22, 1972
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Landstuhl, West Germany
Birthdate: March 6, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Berlin, Germany
German-born Ghanaian footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng, nicknamed “Prince,” plays for Serie B club Monza, as a midfielder and forward. He has earlier won the La Liga with Barcelona and the Serie A with Milan. While he played for the Bundesliga club Schalke 04, he also represented Ghana in two World Cups.
Birthdate: June 30, 1975
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Hürth, Germany
Ralf Schumacher is a German former racing driver who first drove in Formula One with Jordan Grand Prix for the 1997 season. He is the younger brother of former Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher. He began karting at three and took to automobile racing as a young adult. He has since retired from motorsport and now mentors young drivers.
Birthdate: March 4, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany
Birthdate: August 8, 1991
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bochum, Germany
Birthdate: June 20, 1993
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Karlsruhe, Germany