Sport
Who makes our German World Cup XI?
When it comes to the World Cup, few nations have been as successful as Germany. Between their times as West Germany and then Germany, the European powerhouse has won the World Cup no less than 4 times – in 1958, 1974, 1990 and 2014. Their four wins are tied with Italy as the best European performers at the World Cup and joint second overall with most titles won. With that in mind, Die Mannschaft has featured many of the game’s greatest names in their squads covering all positions. So just who would make the greatest German World Cup XI ever?
Best German World Cup XI of all time
GK: Manuel Neuer (107 caps)
It takes a lot for one player to revolutionise the modern game but Manuel Neuer did just that. With excellent technical ability, Neuer became the basis for starting off many passing moves from the back. Not afraid to come out of his area, Neuer’s taste for coming forward coined the “sweeper keeper” phenomenon that took over in the 2010s.
With the national team, Neuer played a big role in helping his side win the 2014 World Cup winning The Golden Glove award for his performances. He has also been captain of the German national side since then ensuring that his team have the skills and tactics ready to repeat their World Cup winning run in 2014.
DF: Philip Lahm (113 caps/5 goals)
One of the most versatile players of his generation, Lahm could play on either flank as a defender or in the middle as a holding midfielder. With no real weaknesses, Lahm could tackle, pass and even score without any difficulty. However, his calm demeanour and consistent performances earned him respect from teammates around the world and it was that form that helped him captain his country to lifting the trophy in 2014. With two World Cup Dream Team appearances in 2006 and 2010, Lahm proved himself to be one of the best defenders of his generation
DF: Berti Vogts (96 caps/1 goal)
A trailblazer in his time, Vogts was a tenacious defender that let very few players get past him. Played as a full-back or centre-back, Vogts was a powerful figure and showed excellent passing and tackling skills to pacify any attacks. During his time with the West German national side, he formed an excellent understanding with his teammates that made them one of the best anywhere in the world.
It was this bond that helped Vogts be a part of the German 1974 World Cup winning squad and his individual efforts earnt him a place in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup Best Team. It was a skillset that allowed Vogts to emerge from a successful playing career and become one of the leading international managers of his time once he hung up his boots.
DF: Franz Beckenbauer (103 caps/14 goals)
Very few defenders are still as reveried as what Franz Beckenbauer is. Known as “The Emperor”, Beckenbauer was a tour de force on the pitch using his sharp mind to stop attacks dead both on the pitch and in the air.
With such a commanding presence, Beckenbauer was captain of the famous 1974 squad that lifted the trophy and dominated international football for much of the 1970s. With his excellent passing skills and composed nature, very few have matched Beckenbauer’s skillset and it is why he earned a place in FIFA’s World Cup Team of the 20th Century.
DF: Herbert Erhard (50 caps/1 goal)
When it comes to unheralded full backs, Herbert Erhard is one who is at the top of the list. Having starred for Germany throughout the 1950s, Erhard was part of the squad that won the 1954 World Cup beating the Mighty Magyars in the final.
Never shy to back out of a tackle, Erhard physical style was enough to intimidate many of the legendary names of his era. Named as one of the country’s best defenders in the 1990s by the German FA, it is a testament to one of the true workhorses of a bygone era.
CM: Lothar Matthaus (150 caps/23 goals)
There are few players quite like Lothar Matthaus. Capable of playing in the backline or in midfield, Matthaus had the composure to be the anchor that held his team together. With excellent passing skills, excellent heading and tackling, he could stop attacks just as well as he could create them.
This all-round skillset was a big factor in helping Matthaus captain his side to the 1990 World Cup success that also saw him claim the Ballon D’Or later that year. Having played in three separate decades for his country, Matthaus remains the all-time record holder for appearances for the German national side and a national icon to this day.
CM: Thomas Hassler (101 caps/11 goals)
Germany are known for producing technically proficient players but few were as dominant as Thomas Hassler. The midfielder could carve a pass from nowhere and make it look effortless even if it crossed the entire pitch. His excellent dribbling was also a big part of his game and meant that he could be deployed effectively as either a winger of in the heart of midfield.
His best efforts came in the 1994 World Cup where he notched up the award for most assists but also scored a winner’s medal with the German 1990 World Cup squad. A midfield magician for all that it’s worth.
CM: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (95 caps/45 goals)
A livewire on the wing, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was an attacking maestro that could threaten from any positions. Capable of playing as a number 10 or on the wing, Rummenigge had both pace and technical prowess to create attacks from seemingly any position on the pitch.
His consistency at finding the net made him one of the leading strikers of his generation and earned him both the Silver Shoe and the Bronze Ball at the 1982 World Cup. Even though he didn’t win the ultimate prize, Rummenigge was still one of the best to star on the big time for Die Mannschaft.
FW: Rudi Voller (90 caps/47 goals)
Very few players could find the net quite as often as what Rudi Voller could. Voller’s strength and coolness under pressure allowed him to thrive in the penalty box and score countelss times against his opposition. His partnership with Jurgen Klinsmann terrorizeed national sides for over a decade and played a key part in Germany winning the 1990 World Cup.
After his career finished in 1994, Rudi Voller carried his knowledge to the managerial side and helped guide Germany to a runners-up spot in 2002 where they were beaten by Brazil. A great mind both on and off the pitch.
FW: Gerd Muller (68 caps/62 goals)
By scoring a rate of nearly a goal a game for West Germany, there were few players quite as lethal as Gerd Muller. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Muller single-handedly destroyed teams with his pace and finishing ability. His remarkable abilities in front of the net led many to calling the German “Der Bomber” and that was no more apparent than in the World Cup.
He scored 14 goals across three World Cup tournaments which was a record that stood for over 30 years and his 10 goals in the 1970 World Cup is still one of the best feats accomplished by a striker on the biggest stage of them all. One of the greatest strikers of all time.
FW: Miroslav Klose (137 caps/71 goals)
When Miroslav Klose scored 4 goals in his World Cup debut against Saudi Arabia in 2002, few would predict how successful he would be on the biggest stage of them all. Yet Klose used his powerful frame and predatory instincts to always strike at the most opportune times. This, paired with the ability to always find space in the box, led him to becoming a goalscoring machine for Die Mannschaft. Having featured for Germany for over a decade, Klose finally secured a winner’s medal as part of the 2014 World Cup winning squad ensuring his part in history.
However, the 2006 World Cup Golden Boot winner also enjoyed his own feats as his two goals in the 2014 World Cup secured two major records. Firstly, it meant his 71 goals earned him the record of the top scorer for the German national side and that his 16 goals across 4 World Cups ensured that he is the all-time top goalscorer in World Cup history. A true great deserving to be in any Greatest Germany XI
Honourable Mentions: Sepp Maier, Michael Ballack, Jurgen Klinnsmann, Fritz Walter, Jurgen Kohler
Manager: Joachim Low
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