TV expert Lothar Matthäus recently revealed his top 10 national players of all time, with a current footballer making the list. The 63-year-old, a record national player for Germany, did not include himself in the list of DFB legends. Surprisingly, seven former or current Bayern Munich players made Matthäus‘ list.
Matthäus ranked Franz Beckenbauer in the number one spot without any hesitation, praising his unparalleled influence on German football. Former DFB captain Philipp Lahm also earned a spot in Matthäus‘ personal ranking for retiring at the peak of his career. However, Matthäus expressed his disappointment that Thomas Müller did not make it into the top 10, despite his remarkable contributions to the national team.
Only one active player, Manuel Neuer, made Matthäus‘ list, with the TV expert commending him for revolutionizing the goalkeeper position. Despite his careful consideration, Matthäus admitted that creating the ranking was a challenging task, especially when it came to players like Müller, Rudi Völler, and Uli Hoeneß, whom he deeply respects.
Here is Lothar Matthäus‘ complete ranking:
1. Franz Beckenbauer
2. Gerd Müller
3. Miroslav Klose
4. Uwe Seeler
5. Manuel Neuer
6. Philipp Lahm
7. Toni Kroos
8. Andy Brehme
9. Fritz Walter
10. Günter Netzer
It is evident that Matthäus‘ list is filled with legendary players who have left a lasting impact on German football. Despite the absence of a few iconic figures, the list serves as a tribute to the immense talent and contributions of these national players throughout history.