All-Time Top 50: Number 41 - Karl-Heinz Rummenigge

Last updated : 04 May 2005 By Simon Head

Rummenigge: Legendary German striker
Known as 'Kalle', Rummenigge helped lead West Germany to victory in the 1980 European Championships, but the World Cup would not hold the same success for the striker.


Sadly for him, injury problems meant he wasn't fully fit when appearing at the highest level - and a winners’ medal eluded him as his side firstly succumbed to the Italians in 82 and a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in 86, giving him the dubious honour of being the first captain to lose two World Cup finals.


A legendary centre forward, who is revered at Bayern Munich, where he scored 162 times in 314 matches in the Bundesliga, Rummenigge also had spells in Italian and Swiss football before retiring in 1989.