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Germany
A team across generations. Build your eleven, then explore the careers.
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A team across generations
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The 330 on the pitch
The duels
Pick the greater legend. Every vote moves the people's ranking of Germany.
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The 33 of Germany.
Editorial order, with a career scene and sources behind every name.
01
FB
Franz Beckenbauer 103 caps (Germany) · FC Bayern Munich, New York Cosmos · 2× 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.
CB1965–1977
02
Gerd Müller 62 caps (Germany) · 68 goals · TSV 1861 Nördlingen, FC Bayern Munich · 1× Ballon d'Or
ST1966–1974
Gerd Müller 62 caps (Germany) · 68 goals · TSV 1861 Nördlingen, FC Bayern Munich · 1× Ballon d'Or
ST1966–1974
03
MN
Manuel Neuer 128 caps (Germany) · Schalke 04, FC Bayern Munich · FIFA World Cup 2014Germany'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.
GK2009–2026
04
Lothar Matthäus 150 caps (Germany) · 23 goals · Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich · 1× 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.
CM1980–2000
Lothar Matthäus 150 caps (Germany) · 23 goals · Borussia Mönchengladbach, FC Bayern Munich · 1× 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.
CM1980–2000
05
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 95 caps (Germany) · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan · 2× Ballon d'OrA two-time Ballon d'Or winner, this agile and clinical striker terrorised defences for Bayern Munich and West Germany.
SS1976–1986
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge 95 caps (Germany) · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Inter Milan · 2× Ballon d'OrA two-time Ballon d'Or winner, this agile and clinical striker terrorised defences for Bayern Munich and West Germany.
SS1976–1986
07
Philipp Lahm 113 caps (Germany) · FC Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart · FIFA World Cup 2014The 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.
RB2004–2014
Philipp Lahm 113 caps (Germany) · FC Bayern Munich, VfB Stuttgart · FIFA World Cup 2014The 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.
RB2004–2014
08
FW
Fritz Walter 61 caps (Germany) · 33 goals · 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Thionville · FIFA World Cup 1954The 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.
CAM1940–1958
10
Uwe Seeler 72 caps (Germany) · 43 goals · Hamburger SV, Cork CelticA 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.
ST1954–1970
Uwe Seeler 72 caps (Germany) · 43 goals · Hamburger SV, Cork CelticA 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.
ST1954–1970
11
Miroslav Klose 137 caps (Germany) · 71 goals · 1. FC Kaiserslautern, FC Bayern Munich · European Golden Shoe (2006)Germany'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.
ST2001–2014
Miroslav Klose 137 caps (Germany) · 71 goals · 1. FC Kaiserslautern, FC Bayern Munich · European Golden Shoe (2006)Germany'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.
ST2001–2014
12
Thomas Müller 131 caps (Germany) · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Vancouver Whitecaps · European Golden Shoe (2010)The ultimate 'Raumdeuter' whose unique understanding of space and movement delivered the 2014 World Cup and numerous titles for Bayern Munich.
SS2010–2024
Thomas Müller 131 caps (Germany) · 45 goals · FC Bayern Munich, Vancouver Whitecaps · European Golden Shoe (2010)The ultimate 'Raumdeuter' whose unique understanding of space and movement delivered the 2014 World Cup and numerous titles for Bayern Munich.
SS2010–2024
14
BS
Bastian Schweinsteiger 121 caps (Germany) · FC Bayern Munich, Chicago Fire · FIFA World Cup 2014A 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.
CDM2004–2016
15
BS
Bernd Schuster 21 caps (Germany) · 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.
CM1979–1984
16
GN
Günter Netzer 37 caps (Germany) · 6 goals · Borussia Mönchengladbach, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 1974
CAM1965–1975
17
MS
Matthias Sammer 51 caps (Germany) · Dynamo Dresden, VfB Stuttgart · 1× Ballon d'Or
CB1986–1997
18
PB
Paul Breitner 48 caps (Germany) · FC Bayern Munich, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 1974
LB1971–1982
19
RV
Rudi Völler 90 caps (Germany) · 47 goals · Kickers Offenbach, SV Werder Bremen · FIFA World Cup 1990Eight 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.
ST1982–1994
20
UH
Uli Hoeneß 35 caps (Germany) · 5 goals · FC Bayern Munich, 1. FC Nürnberg · FIFA World Cup 1974He 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.
RM1972–1976
21
Wolfgang Overath 81 caps (Germany) · 17 goals · 1. FC Köln · FIFA World Cup 1974The tireless engine on the left flank, a crucial component of West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning midfield.
LM1963–1974
Wolfgang Overath 81 caps (Germany) · 17 goals · 1. FC Köln · FIFA World Cup 1974The tireless engine on the left flank, a crucial component of West Germany's 1974 World Cup-winning midfield.
LM1963–1974
22
AB
Andreas Brehme 86 caps (Germany) · HSV Barmbek-Uhlenhorst, 1. FC Kaiserslautern · FIFA World Cup 1990A 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.
LB1984–1994
23
JK
Jürgen Klinsmann 108 caps (Germany) · 47 goals · VfB Stuttgart, Inter Milan · FIFA World Cup 1990
ST1987–1998
24
JK
Jürgen Kohler 105 caps (Germany) · SV Waldhof Mannheim, Juventus · FIFA World Cup 1990
CB1986–1998
25
Mesut Özil 92 caps (Germany) · 23 goals · SV Werder Bremen, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2014A true assist king and creative heartbeat for Real Madrid and Arsenal, he lifted the 2014 World Cup with his mesmerising vision.
CAM2009–2018
Mesut Özil 92 caps (Germany) · 23 goals · SV Werder Bremen, Real Madrid Club de Fútbol · FIFA World Cup 2014A true assist king and creative heartbeat for Real Madrid and Arsenal, he lifted the 2014 World Cup with his mesmerising vision.
CAM2009–2018
27
Helmut Rahn 40 caps (Germany) · 21 goals · Rot-Weiss Essen, Sportclub Enschede · FIFA World Cup 1954His iconic winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final cemented his place as a national hero and legend of German football.
RM1951–1960
Helmut Rahn 40 caps (Germany) · 21 goals · Rot-Weiss Essen, Sportclub Enschede · FIFA World Cup 1954His iconic winning goal in the 1954 World Cup final cemented his place as a national hero and legend of German football.
RM1951–1960
28
Jérôme Boateng 76 caps (Germany) · Hamburger SV, FC Bayern Munich · FIFA World Cup 2014
CB2009–2018
Jérôme Boateng 76 caps (Germany) · Hamburger SV, FC Bayern Munich · FIFA World Cup 2014
CB2009–2018
29
PL
Pierre Littbarski 73 caps (Germany) · 18 goals · 1. FC Köln, Racing Club de France · FIFA World Cup 1990A dazzling dribbler whose intricate skills and World Cup glory in 1990 made him a fan favourite for club and country.
LM1981–1990
31
TH
Thomas Häßler 101 caps (Germany) · 11 goals · 1. FC Köln, Karlsruher SC · FIFA World Cup 1990
RM1988–2000
33
Rainer Bonhof 53 caps (Germany) · Borussia Mönchengladbach, Valencia CF · FIFA World Cup 1974
CDM1972–1981
Rainer Bonhof 53 caps (Germany) · Borussia Mönchengladbach, Valencia CF · FIFA World Cup 1974
CDM1972–1981
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, with sourced senior international careers spanning the 1940s to the 2020s. Pick a formation, drag your eleven onto the pitch, then explore the careers and 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.
- Michael BallackThe place went to Uli Hoeneß.
Disagree? That is the point. Settle it in the duels above.
Who is the greatest Germany footballer of all time?
The editorial collection starts with Franz Beckenbauer. Its first five careers: 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 collection covers every position across Germany's football history. Honours, international records and career achievements inform the editorial order. Each entry opens a career note and its sources. Fan votes in the duels build a separate ranking.
Where can I read about the careers?
Open a player page from the collection to read the career scene, club record and recorded honours. The source links show where the available records come from.
Can I build and share my own Germany all-time XI?
Yes. Pick one of 8 formations, place any of the 33 players onto the pitch, and export your lineup as a PNG. There is no account and no sign-up.