Germany's Greatest FIFA World Cup XI

Since their entry back into the World Cup in the 1950, Germany has been the most successful team across Europe. The fact that this would be their 15th consecutive world cup, winning it thrice and finishing runners up on four occasions speaks volumes of their feats on the international stage. In addition to this they have also won the Euro 1972, 1980 and 1996.

Germany up until the 21st century was never counted as a team playing a brilliant brand of football. Their reputation was built on their tremendous work ethic, discipline, fighting spirit and a dogged team effort which differentiated them the other national teams. It’s only for the past decade or more have they coupled all their previous qualities with a brand of entertaining football.

They have always been known to produce players who are hard working and disciplined, not individual geniuses who are capable of achieving greatness. However, 2014 will be a difference as they would have a squad with players who are global superstars, versatile and technically gifted.

Here we present an all time XI of German players based on their performances in the FIFA World cup over the years. Most of the players come from the golden period of 1970-1990. The players have been selected based only on their performances in the World Cup and Euro tournaments. The formation chosen is a 4-1-2-1-2 (diamond) based on the ability and the mentality of players selected.

Goalkeeper: Oliver Kahn

Germany have been blessed with very good goalkeepers, hence it becomes a very tricky choice to pick this one. Both Oliver Kahn and Sepp Maier are two of the greatest the country has produced and they were also recognized the best in the world in their prime. Maier, however, was more successful: he won Euro 1972 and World Cup 1974. However, he achieved this with a team comprising of Beckenbauer, Breitner and Müller. Kahn on the other hand achieved greatness with a mediocre German team. That Germany finished as runners up in 2002 world cup was largely due to the inspirational performances of Kahn. He was even voted the best player of that tournament. More than being a talented shot stopper, it was his fearlessness, reflexes and organize a defense that edged him for this position.

Oliver Kahn

Defenders: Karl-Heinz Schnellinger - Jürgen Kohler- Franz Beckenbauer- Berti Vogts

One of most unspectacular right backs, Berti Vogts will still remembered as a player who could cancel out the most spectacular player from the opposition. Strong physically, ability to read the game and with good pace he was one of the most trustworthy defenders. His finest hour came when he marked Johan Cruyff out of the game in the 1974 World Cup final, the first minute aside and contributed to Germany’s triumph as much as Beckenbauer with his leadership or Müller with his goals. Hence, it is even harder to argue that he went to represent 96 times.

Berti Vogts

Franz Beckenbauer created the role of the much famous sweeper position. Intelligent, tactically aware, technically gifted, comfortable in possession, natural leader and ability to set up and score goals he is probably the best defender to have ever played the game. He was part of the golden era of German football where they finished 2nd and 3rd at the World Cup in 1966 and 1970 respectively. “The Kaiser” finally got his hands on the World cup in 1974. Then in 1990 he became only the second man to lift the World Cup as a player and a manager when he guided Germany to victory in Italy. His finest moment still remains the 1974 world cup where he was at his marauding best and leading a defense to negate the threat of the then best attacker Johan Cruyff.

Franz Beckenbauer with the 1974 FIFA World Cup

A complete contrast to Bekenbauer was Jurgen Kohler who was not elegant, uncomfortable while dribbling and rarely scored. However, he was one of the best tacklers, brilliant marksman and one who could put his physical strength to good effect. An absolute nightmare of a defender for the attackers he made his presence felt be in air winning aerial duels as well as winning the ground tackles. Kohler amassed over 100 caps for Germany and won the 1990 World Cup with them. He would represent an ideal pairing with Franz Bekenbauer.

Jurgen Kohler at the 1990 World Cup

Part of the German national in the 1958 World Cup at a tender age of 19, Schnellinger went to be one of the few players who represented their country in 4 world cups (1958, 1962, 1966 and 1970). Regarded as one of the best fullbacks of all time he was renowned for his pace, physical power and a winning mentality. He was dubbed the “Volkswagen” for his consistency and continuity in performances. His only goal for Germany came in the last minute of the semi final against Italy which was later deemed as “Game of the century”.

Schnellinger against England

Midfield Diamond: Paul Breitner- Bernd Schuster- Lothar Matthäus- Fritz Walter

One of the greatest German players of all time, Paul Breitner was also named in the FIFA World Cup All-Time team. He started off his career as a left back and it was his ability to roam the entire field that was seen as one of his major strengths. His tactical awareness and defensive abilities helped him adapt to the role of defensive midfielder when he moved to the centre of the field. He became one of the best DM the game had ever seen. He was part of the side that won the Euro 1972; however he made a mark at the global stage in the 1974 world cup. He scored with a stunning 25-yard strike to secure a 1-0 win over Chile in the opener. In the second group stage, he scored the opener in a 2-0 win over Yugoslavia with a thunderous 30-yard shot. In the final, he would only need to score from the penalty spot, but the nerveless manner in which he equalized against Netherlands was perhaps the most impressive feat of all. He played only 48 games for Germany and remains the only German to score in two different, non-successive World Cup finals: 1974 and 1982.

Paul Breitner

Bernd Schuster makes the list as an all time great bit for this it is important to put aside the total number of caps or world cup performances. He represented West Germany only 22 times, but it was his individual ability to control matches that was so exceptional. He was one of the most talented players with outstanding skills, physical strength, exceptional dribbling and an eye for goal. He retired at the age of 24 from the national team due to his ongoing feud with the German football association. It still remains a case of ‘what would have been’ had he continued playing for a longer time.

Schuster against the Oranje

The most capped world class footballer of all time Lothar Matthaus was a phenomenon. He went to win a record 150 caps for Germany and was the only player who played in 5 different world cups. He was one of the most complete midfielders as he was a one man engine room, creator, a tireless runner, a fierce tackler, a scorer of goals. However, for all his dynamism and heroics he would win the World Cup only in 1990 after finishing on the losing side in both the finals of 1982 and 1986. Throughout the 1990 tournament, he scored four goals, as well as converting his penalty during the semi-final shootout against England.

Lothar Matthaus

Fritz Walter will always be remembered as the legendary captain who masterminded the triumph of the 1954 World cup. He made 61 appearances for his country in which he scored an impressive 33 goals. He was a gifted footballer both in technique and in the art of executing chances for the team. He was an artist with the ball, a goal hungry playmaker whose talents were honed by a stupendous work rate and burning ambition. He was inspirational in the 7-2 rout of Turkey in the 1954 World cup. The captain buried two penalties in the 6-1 semi-final victory over Austria to set the stage for a final with the invincible Hungarian side. The Miracle of Bern remains Walter’s finest games where Germany trailing 2-0 after 8 minutes came back heroically to win the match 3-2 in the back of a steady downpour which is still called “Fritz Walter “weather in Germany. Fritz Walter was named an honorary captain of the German football squad in 1958.

Fritz Walter with the 1954 World Cup

Forwards: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge - Gerd Müller

One of the most complete forwards Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, first made an impact with his extraordinary dribbling skills. He could also score different kind of goals which remained his forte till the end of his career. Possessing a fine technique and all round qualities enabled him to play out wide or as a central striker. He went on to score 45 goals from 96 appearances and was captain of the team that reached two successive World Cup finals 1982 and 1986, losing both of them. In the 3 World Cups that he featured in, he scored a total of 9 goals. He did win the Euro Championship in 1980, a trophy to show for his all round exploits. His memorable contribution creating and scoring a goal when coming off the bench in the classic semifinal against France remains the highlight of the 1982 World Cup along with his hat-trick against Chile. Consistent knee problems however disrupted his career as he could not perform to full potential and had to be used sparingly. The 1986 World cup would remain his last in German colors.

Rummenigge

The most notorious goal poacher of his generation, Gerd Muller remained the World Cup’s all time record scorer till he was displaced by Ronaldo. However, his highlight still remains that he scored the goals in the least amount of games. Short and stocky, he had a knack of scoring goals, most of them from within the penalty area. His great positioning and an ability to twist and turn was a defender’s nightmare. He scored an unthinkable 68 goals in only 62 appearances having a ratio of more than 1 goal per match. The 1970 World cup will probably remembered as the best of Gerd Muller as he scored a record 10 goals off 6 matches which included hat tricks against Bulgaria and Peru. He was again at his impressive best enabling Germany to a Euro championship in 1972 where he scored both in the semi finals and finals. However, his career’s best moment came in the 1974 world cup where he scored the all important goal in the final against Netherlands to power the team to the title. It was a perfect end to glittering international career.