Sport
The greatest Borussia Dortmund XI of all time
Apart from Bayern Munich, few German sides have been as recognisable or successful in football than Borussia Dortmund. BVB enjoy a long history at the pinnacle of German football having won 8 Bundesliga titles down the years as well as the 1997 Champions League title. Success has come in several different eras with strong runs in the 1950s, 1990s as well as in the 2010s. What this means is that the club has always had a plethora of talented players to rely upon and bring silverware home. Having achieved this with a mix of home-grown talents and international stars, Dortmund have enjoyed a history that most clubs would only dream about. So who would make Borussia Dortmund’s greatest XI ever?
GK: Roman Weidenfeller
Despite always being under the shadow of others on the international scene, Roman Weidenfeller was always seen as a star when wearing Dortmund colours. Joining the club from Kaiserslautern in 2002, he would go on to become undisputed number 1 for almost 15 years. Known for his agility and command of the area, Weidenfeller was always a reliable shot-stopper who could keep the very best from scoring. He proved his consistency by being their main shot stopper in two title winning campaigns in both 2011 and 2012. On top of this, he was also part of a Dortmund side that won two DFB Pokal tournaments as well as Germany’s 2014 World Cup Winning squad. With over 350 appearances for the club, few can argue his form and performances when appearing for BVB.
RB: Lukasz Piszczek
Mainly used as a right-back, there were few defenders that could match Lukasz Piszczek on many levels. Not only was the Pole an excellent tackler, he could also deliver excellent passes across the pitch and deliver accurate set-pieces. This versatility made him an excellent squad player that could be relied upon season after season to deliver quality performances. He settled straight into the time after joining from Hertha Berlin in 2010 and settled into the squad as they won back to back titles in 2011 and 2012. Piszczek’s form was also top notch after their title success which saw him included in no less than 2 Bundesliga Team of the Seasons in 2016 and 2017. After winning his third DFB Pokal title in 2021 with BVB, he left the side to return to Poland after 382 games with the German giants.
LB: Dede
Dede was a player who could always be counted upon to deliver when placed on the left-hand side. Capable of playing as a left back or left midfielder, Dede could use his speed, strength and endless stamina to cause opposite wing-backs plenty of trouble. He enjoyed plenty of success with Dortmund after moving from hometown side Atletico Mineiro in 1998 quickly settling into life in Europe. From there, the Brazilian was a star for BVB playing in two Bundesliga-winning sides in both 2002 and 2011. His efforts were well appreciated by Dortmund fans especially as he appeared in just under 400 games for the club – the record for any overseas player at the club. He would eventually leave in 2011 joining Turkish side Eskisehirspor in 2011 who he remained with until he retired.
CB: Mats Hummels
It’s not often you find a player that crosses a major rivalry and is revered by arch-rivals but that is what Mats Hummels has managed to achieve. The committed centre-back has twice moved to Dortmund from Bayern Munich but has both times underlined himself as a key player for BVB. This has come down to Hummels unwavering commitments to tackles, unmatched aerial dominance and coolness under pressure. Hummels was a key part in helping Dortmund win the league titles in both 2011 and 2012. He also scored in the 2012 DFB Pokal final helping BVB secure the domestic double in the 2011/12 season. For his efforts, Hummels has won plenty of praise for his performances named in no less than 5x Bundesliga Teams of the Season. Having notched up over 450 appearances for the club, Hummels is second in the all-time appearance list for Dortmund and an icon who will be remembered for decades to come.
CB: Matthias Sammer
In the 1990s, there were few players that could command a game quite like Matthias Sammer. Capable of playing in the back four or as an anchor midfielder, Sammer was a gifted passer as well as a steely tackler that could win any duel. Sammer arrived at the club in 1992 after a brief stint with Inter Milan. It would be a timely move as Sammer hit the best form of his career. After a 10 goal debut season, Sammer’s role further back helped Dortmund control any game they played in. This influence brought in a dominant spell during the mid-1990s where the club won two Bundesliga with Sammer as captain. More success would come as Dortmund would go on to win the 1997 Champions League final defeating Juventus 3-1 with Sammer once again donning the armband. All this success, as well as Germany winning Euro 1996, saw him win the 1996 Ballon D’Or trophy. Add 2xGerman Footballer of the Year awards in 1995 and 1996 and it underlines Sammer’s role as a legend of European football.
CM: Andreas Moller
Andreas Moller was a player always capable of unlocking defences and it would be Borussia Dortmund who provided him with the biggest means to do so. Moller’s quick passes and unpredictable styles made him a nightmare for any defender to play against. Moller enjoyed two spells at the Westfalenstadion though it was his second spell with the club from 1994-2000 that he is best remembered by. In a spell where he scored 61 goals in 212 appearances, Moller was a key cog in a side that won 2 Bundesliga titles and the 1997 Champions Leaguer final. He played a key role in the 1995/96 season notching up most assists in the league as well as scoring 8 goals that season. Furthermore, he featured in 4 Bundesliga Team of the Seasons whilst at Dortmund showcasing why Moller was so influential in the club’s success during the 1990s.
CM: Michael Zorc
When it comes to Borussia Dortmund, no player has been more loyal or dedicated than Michael Zorc. Normally utilised as a deep-playmaker, the player known as “Susi” was devastating whenever he lined up for Die Schwarzgelben. This included a knack for making runs and also scoring goals with ease. It’s why he scored over 100 goals in over 500 matches for the side. During this never-ending run, Zorc won two Bundesliga titles and the 1997 Champions League for the club. Not only was he a long-time captain for the club, he spent 18 seasons for the team from 1981-1998. This longevity saw Zorc win plenty of accolades including becoming the club’s all-time record holder for appearances. After retiring in 1998, Zorc remained at the club as sporting director for over 20 years before leaving the role in 2022. A true club legend who was entirely devoted to the side.
CM: Marco Reus
For much as he could be devastating as a striker, Marco Reus could also shine as an attacking midfielder quite easily. Reus’ versatility has developed down to his ability to make excellent passes, lively runs as well as having a key eye for goal. Having joined from Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012, Reus has been an ever-present member of Dortmund’s line-up often being a key source of attacking prowess. This has included 3 20+ goal seasons for the club with a best of 23 goals in both the 2013 and 2015 campaigns. Whilst having only won 2 DFB Pokal cups with Dortmund, Reus’ has won many accolades for his efforts including 3 Player of the Season awards and twice being named German Footballer of the Year in 2012 and 2018. Proof that Reus has always been a natural leader who could bring success to BVB whenever it presented itself.
FW: Stephane Chapuisat
When it comes to putting chances away, few players could do this with ease as what Stephane Chapuisat could. The Swiss striker always could use his strength and pace to find space and unleash a shot without any problems. Chapuisat joined Dortmund from Swiss side Lausanne in 1991 and he immediately showcased his finishing skills as BVB’s title credentials rose to the top. He proved this best in the 1993/94 season scoring 17 goals that season. Chapuisat would prove this worth by scoring in average of every 2 games for the club totalling 102 goals in 215 appearances for the squad. Having won both 2 Bundesliga titles and a Champions League title, Chapuisat enjoyed a successful career that also saw him named Switzerland’s greatest player of the 20th century. A star on all fronts.
FW: Robert Lewandowski
Robert Lewandowski might have been a goalscoring machine for Bayern Munich but it was with Borussia Dortmund where he became the star he is today. After joining from Lech Poznan in 2010, the Polish superstar showed off his goalscoring form at the highest level. It would be his 22 goals in 34 games that laid the foundation for Dortmund to win the 2011-12 Bundesliga title and take the world by storm. He would take things further scoring 36 goals across all competition in the 2012-13 season also guiding BVB to the 2013 Champions League final. He would leave Dortmund in 2014 to join Borussia Dortmund having scored 103 goals in just 187 games. It was this form that saw him named Polish Footballer of the Year every season he was with Dortmund as well as several Bundesliga Team of the Year nominations during his stint with the club.
FW: Alfred Preissler
Borussia Dortmund’s initial success in Germany came during the 1950s and much of this was due to the goals from Alfred Preissler. A star for Dortmund as the side competed in West Germany just after World War II, Preissler never missed a chance regularly converting chances whenever he got a chance. It was this form that helped BVB win their first two league titles in 1956 and 1957. Over this time, he scored 178 goals for the club over 317 appearances from 1946-1959. With 178 goals for the club, Preissler remains Dortmund’s all-time top scorer and an all-time great still remembered to this very day.
