33·Legends
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Germany

The thirty-three greatest. Build your eleven, then settle the duels.
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The 330 on the pitch

The duels

Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Germany.

The 33 of Germany

Ranked by the almanac. Vote in the duels to build the people's version.

1 98 Franz Beckenbauer 103 caps · FC Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos · Ballon d'OrThe iconic "Der Kaiser," Beckenbauer redefined the libero role, winning the 1974 World Cup as captain and two Ballon d'Or awards for his elegant play. CB1970s
2 96 Gerd Müller 62 caps · 68 goals · TSV 1861 Nördlingen, FC Bayern Munich · Ballon d'OrDer Bomber, a clinical poacher and 1970 Ballon d'Or winner whose incredible goalscoring record powered West Germany to World Cup and Euros glory. ST1970s
3 MN 96 Manuel Neuer 128 caps · FC Schalke 04 II, Schalke 04 · 2× national Player of the Year (2011–2014)Germany's back four pushed so high against Algeria on 30 June 2014 that he spent the night guarding the space behind them, racing beyond his box to head and hook the ball clear. A fortnight later he kept Argentina out for 120 minutes of the final, winning the World Cup and the Golden Glove, and his Bayern years brought the 2013 and 2020 Champions League inside two trebles plus five IFFHS awards as the world's best goalkeeper. GK2013–20
4 94 Lothar Matthäus 150 caps · 23 goals · Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich · Ballon d'OrTaking the ball from Augenthaler inside his own half at the San Siro on 10 June 1990, he carried it through the Yugoslav midfield, stepped past Davor Jozic and struck it from 25 metres. That summer he lifted the World Cup as captain in Rome, then took the Ballon d'Or and became the first FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991, on top of Euro 1980, the 1991 UEFA Cup, seven Bundesliga titles and 150 caps for Germany. CM1980–91
5 93 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 95 caps · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan · Ballon d'OrA two-time Ballon d'Or winner, this agile and clinical striker terrorised defences for Bayern Munich and West Germany. SS1974–86
6 93 Oliver Kahn 86 caps · Karlsruher SC, Karlsruher SC II · Golden Foot 2017The charismatic Titan, Kahn's commanding presence and incredible saves earned him the Golden Ball at the 2002 World Cup and a Champions League with Bayern. GK2000s
7 93 Philipp Lahm 113 caps · FC Bayern Munich II, FC Bayern Munich · national Player of the Year 2017The peerless captain and tactician, Lahm led Germany to World Cup glory in 2014 and was an integral part of Bayern's historic treble in 2013. RB2013–14
8 FW 92 Fritz Walter 61 caps · 33 goals · 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Thionville · 7× Hall of Fame (1970–2018)The legendary captain of the 1954 'Miracle of Bern' World Cup team, Fritz Walter remains an iconic figure in German football history for his leadership and skill. CAM1950s
9 92 Sepp Maier 95 caps · FC Bayern Munich · 3× national Player of the Year (1975–1978)The "Cat from Anzing," Maier was the cornerstone of West Germany's 1974 World Cup and 1972 European Championship triumphs, and Bayern's European dynasty. GK1972–74
10 92 Uwe Seeler 72 caps · 43 goals · Hamburger SV, Cork Celtic · 3× national Player of the Year (1960–1970)A true HSV legend, 'Uns Uwe' was a prolific goalscorer and captain who represented Germany in four World Cups, a symbol of loyalty and enduring quality. ST1954–72
11 91 Miroslav Klose 137 caps · 71 goals · 1. FC Kaiserslautern, FC Bayern Munich · European Golden Shoe 2006Germany's all-time leading scorer and a relentless poacher whose aerial timing and longevity carried him to the 2014 World Cup title. He held the World Cup scoring record with 16 goals until the 2026 tournament. ST2001–14
12 91 Thomas Müller 131 caps · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, FC Bayern Munich II · European Golden Shoe 2010The ultimate 'Raumdeuter' whose unique understanding of space and movement delivered the 2014 World Cup and numerous titles for Bayern Munich. SS2010s
13 91 Toni Kroos 108 caps · 17 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Bayer 04 Leverkusen · 2× national Player of the Year (2018–2024)The relentless orchestrator, Kroos dictated play with unparalleled passing range, winning the 2014 World Cup with Germany and a staggering six Champions League titles with Real Madrid. CM2010s
14 BS 90 Bastian Schweinsteiger 121 caps · FC Bayern Munich II, FC Bayern Munich · national Player of the Year 2013A tireless engine and deep-lying playmaker, Schweinsteiger captained Germany to their 2014 World Cup triumph and was central to Bayern Munich's historic treble season. CDM2010s
15 BS 89 Bernd Schuster 21 caps · 4 goals · 1. FC Köln, FC BarcelonaA sublime and technically gifted midfielder, Schuster captivated audiences with his elegant playmaking for Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid, winning Euro 1980 with Germany. CM1980s
16 89 Günter Netzer 37 caps · 6 goals · Borussia Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2× national Player of the Year (1972–1973)The elegant puppet-master who pulled the strings for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Real Madrid, orchestrating their triumphs and securing the 1972 Euros. CAM1970s
17 MS 89 Matthias Sammer 51 caps · Dynamo Dresden, VfB Stuttgart · Ballon d'Or 1996The iconic libero, Sammer captained Germany to Euro 96 glory and lifted the 1997 Champions League with Dortmund, earning the Ballon d'Or for his commanding displays. CB1990s
18 PB 89 Paul Breitner 48 caps · FC Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · national Player of the Year 1981The maverick marauding full-back, Breitner collected a World Cup and a European Championship with West Germany, enjoying trophy-laden spells at both Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. LB1970–83
19 RV 89 Rudi Völler 90 caps · 47 goals · Kickers Offenbach, SV Werder Bremen · national Player of the Year 1983Eight minutes from the end of the 1986 final in Mexico City, the grey-curled forward German fans knew as Tante Käthe headed in from close range to pull West Germany level at 2-2 with Argentina. He won the World Cup four years later in Rome, took the European Cup with Marseille in 1993, and was German Footballer of the Year in 1983 after topping the Bundesliga scoring charts. ST1982–1994
20 UH 89 Uli Hoeneß 35 caps · 5 goals · FC Bayern Munich, 1. FC Nürnberg · 2× Hall of Fame (2002–2002)He scored twice in the 1974 European Cup final replay in Brussels, on 28 minutes and again on 82, splitting the goals with Gerd Müller in Bayern's 4-0 dismantling of Atlético Madrid. Three straight European Cups came his way in Munich, along with the 1974 World Cup, the 1972 European Championship and three Bundesliga titles, all before a ruined knee ended his playing days at 27. RM1970–1979
21 89 Wolfgang Overath 81 caps · 17 goals · 1. FC Köln · 2× Hall of Fame (2008–2019)The tireless engine on the left flank, a crucial component of West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning midfield. LM1970s
22 AB 88 Andreas Brehme 86 caps · HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst, 1. FC Kaiserslautern · Hall of Fame 2018A dead-ball specialist and a big-game player, Andreas Brehme famously scored the winning penalty in the 1990 World Cup final, proficient with both feet from left-back. LB1990s
23 JK 88 Jürgen Klinsmann 108 caps · 47 goals · VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan · 2× national Player of the Year (1988–1994)The iconic German striker of the 90s, renowned for his passionate celebrations and crucial goals en route to the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996 titles. ST1990–96
24 JK 88 Jürgen Kohler 105 caps · SV Waldhof Mannheim, Juventus · national Player of the Year 1997A formidable elite stopper of his generation, Kohler won the 1990 World Cup and 1996 Euros, culminating in a Champions League triumph with Dortmund in 1997. CB1990–97
25 88 Mesut Özil 92 caps · 23 goals · SV Werder Bremen, Real Madrid Club de FútbolA true assist king and creative heartbeat for Real Madrid and Arsenal, he lifted the 2014 World Cup with his mesmerising vision. CAM2010s
26 87 Berti Vogts 96 caps · Borussia Mönchengladbach · 2× national Player of the Year (1971–1979)A tenacious and uncompromising defender, Vogts, dubbed "The Terrier," was a key member of West Germany's 1974 World Cup and 1972 European Championship winning squads. RB1972–74
27 87 Helmut Rahn 40 caps · 21 goals · Rot-Weiss Essen, Sportclub Enschede · Hall of Fame 2018His iconic winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final cemented his place as a national hero and legend of German football. RM1950s
28 87 Jérôme Boateng 76 caps · Hamburger SV, FC Bayern Munich · national Player of the Year 2016A powerful, modern centre-back, Boateng was a lynchpin in Germany's 2014 World Cup win and secured two Champions League titles with Bayern Munich in 2013 and 2020. CB2013–20
29 PL 87 Pierre Littbarski 73 caps · 18 goals · 1. FC Köln, Racing Club de FranceA dazzling dribbler whose intricate skills and World Cup glory in 1990 made him a fan favourite for club and country. LM1990s
30 KF 86 Karlheinz Förster 81 caps · VfB Stuttgart, Olympique de Marseille · national Player of the Year 1982A resolute German man-marker, Förster was a key figure in the national team that reached World Cup finals in 1982 and 1986, adding to his Euro 1980 triumph. CB1980–86
31 TH 86 Thomas Häßler 101 caps · 11 goals · 1. FC Köln, Karlsruher SC · 2× national Player of the Year (1989–1992)The diminutive yet supremely gifted midfielder, a technical wizard on the right flank, who claimed both the 1990 World Cup and Euro 1996. RM1990–96
32 85 Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck 44 caps · FC Bayern MunichThe ultimate no-nonsense centre-back, Schwarzenbeck was a defensive rock alongside Beckenbauer, anchoring Bayern's dominance with three European Cups and West Germany's 1974 World Cup win. CB1970s
33 85 Rainer Bonhof 53 caps · Borussia Mönchengladbach, Valencia CFA dynamic midfielder with a thunderous shot, Bonhof provided power and balance, winning the 1974 World Cup and two European Championships with West Germany. CDM1970s

About this XI

Franz Beckenbauer tops Germany's all-time pool, ahead of Gerd Müller and Manuel Neuer. The 33 covers 3 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 13 midfielders and 7 forwards, spanning the 1950s to the 2010s. 3 players reach the Immortal tier or higher. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then settle the duels below. Your votes reorder the people's ranking of these 33 in real time.

Left out, and why

A 33 is a set of decisions, and these are the players who lost their place in the last revision of Germany's list. Every one of them has a case.

Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.

Who is the greatest Germany footballer of all time?
In the 33 Legends editorial ranking, Franz Beckenbauer leads Germany with an overall rating of 98. The editorial top five: Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Manuel Neuer, Lothar Matthäus, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. The people's ranking on this page moves with every duel vote and can disagree.
How were these 33 Germany players chosen?
The pool covers every position across Germany's football history. Ratings weigh peak level, longevity, honours and historical standing, then the full methodology page explains the tiers. Fan votes in the duels build a second, independent ranking.
Which Germany players reach the Immortal tier or higher?
Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Manuel Neuer are rated 95 or higher for Germany.
Can I build and share my own Germany all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of eight formations, drag any of the 33 onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.
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