Lothar Matthäus boasts an international playing career few others can. He captained the West Germany team to victory in the 1990 World Cup, is Germany’s most-capped player, remains the only German to win the FIFA World Player of the Year, and is one of only two outfield players to have appeared in five World Cup tournaments. His club career was equally eventful: during a 21-year professional career, he made over 780 appearances for some of the world’s biggest clubs, namely Bayern Munich and Inter Milan, and was still winning German Player of the Year awards in his late thirties. There literally isn’t room to cover all his achievements and awards. Little wonder he’s regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.
Matthäus’s playing career began in the late 1970s with Bundesliga side Borussia Mönchengladbach before moving to Bayern Munich in 1984. With them, he would win the Bundesliga seven times, including three consecutive titles between 1985 and 1987. He spent four years with Inter Milan from 1988, winning Serie A and the UEFA Cup, before returning to Bayern Munich and achieving further league and cup glories. After a final season with MLS side MetroStars in New York, with whom he won the Eastern Division, he retired in 2000.
Since retiring, Matthäus has pursued a career as a coach, manager, and pundit. He coached the Hungarian and Bulgarian national teams and, as co-manager, helped FC Salzburg to win the Austrian Bundesliga. His insightful analysis and legendary status make him a sought-after pundit, covering major tournaments for outlets like Eurosport, Al Jazeera, ZDF, and ITV.
In recent years, Matthäus has continued to remain a central figure in the footballing world. In 2022, he was honored with the FIFA President’s Award for his outstanding contributions to the sport and his commitment to using football as a force for good. Additionally, he has played an active role in global football development programs, inspiring the next generation of players and fans alike.