
The undisputed engine of an era, Lothar Matthäus lifted the 1990 World Cup as captain, earned the Ballon d'Or, and remains Germany's most capped outfield player. Career record: 150 caps and 23 goals for Germany; club career at Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan; honours include Ballon d'Or, national Player of the Year 1990, national Player of the Year 1999.
One rank above: Manuel Neuer at #3.
One rank below: Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at #5.
Germany's editorial top five: Franz Beckenbauer · Gerd Müller · Manuel Neuer · Lothar Matthäus · Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.