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#8 Lothar Matthaus
The first and only German player to ever win the FIFA World player of the year, Lothar Matthaus is one of the greatest ever midfielders to ever grace the game. Supremely successful at both the club and country level, Matthaus was capable of playing both as a central midfielder and as a sweeper.
The legendary German played in five FIFA World Cups and holds the record for the most World Cup matches played by a single player. Matthaus’ impact on the game and the respect he had from his rivals was best epitomised by Diego Maradona’s comments:
"he is the best rival I've ever had. I guess that's enough to define him", said Maradona in his book Yo soy el Diego (I am the Diego).
Capable of creating chances and breaking opposition’s play with equal ease, Matthaus' perceptive passing, positioning and powerful shooting made him one of the most complete midfielders in the history of the game.
