Top 10 Greatest Borussia Dortmund Players
Borussia Dortmund’s 10 Best Footballers of All Time
Borussia Dortmund has recently churned out some world-class players. But did you know that the club has produced several of the world’s best players of yesteryear? Here is a list of the best players Dortmund have had in their ranks. How many of these names do you recognize?
The Black and Yellow of Borussia Dortmund has come to prominence in recent times as a challenger to Bayern Munich. However, something that most fans fail to realize is the rich history and narrative the club has managed to carve for itself since the early 1990s.
The club also has a history of producing high-quality players. Most recently, the likes of Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho have been among the youngsters to grace the club with their presence. Dortmund has also seen some of the world’s best managers coach the club as well. The likes of Jurgen Klopp, Thomas Tuchel, and Lucien Favre have been successful with Borussia Dortmund in recent times.
With Håland seemingly unstoppable and making waves at Signal Iduna Park, we look at ten players who have stood the test of time and made a mark at Borussia Dortmund...
10. Jurgen Kohler
At his prime, Jurgen Kohler was considered to be among the best defenders in the world. At 6 foot 1, Kohler was among the most physical of center-halves in the world and was known for his ability to remain calm with the ball at his feet. His incredibly passing ability also saw him rank among the best.
Having signed with Borussia Dortmund in 1995, Kohler would play out the final years of his career with the club. At the time of his retirement, the German had become a club legend with over 200 appearances to his name across all competitions.
Kohler’s illustrious career saw him claim six trophies with Dortmund including two Bundesliga titles. He was part of the German national team that lifted the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
9. Mario Gotze
At the start of the 2011 season, Mario Gotze was considered among the best-attacking players in the world. His ability to play on either wing and as a false nine saw pundits and fans draw comparisons between Gotze and Lionel Messi. Alongside the likes of Nuri Sahin, Marco Reus, and Robert Lewandowski, Gotze found glory with Dortmund as the club went on to win back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
Bayern Munich soon came knocking and Gotze promptly made the move. However, despite significant silverware, Gotze soon moved back to Dortmund and seamlessly slotted back into the XI. But, he was a shadow of his former self, deciding to leave the club at the close of the 2019-20 season. He currently plays for Dutch club PSV while continuing to make himself available for the German national side when required.
8. Dede
Although Dede will be known for his controversies with FIFA when he attempted to switch to the Qatari football team, his contribution to Borussia Dortmund has been immense. Having been associated with the club for over a decade, Dede was a mainstay at left wingback, creating a bevvy of chances and scoring the occasional goal.
However, as his time with Dortmund continued, he began facing stiff competition from the likes of Marcel Schmelzer. Despite this, Dede will always be regarded as a legend of the club courtesy of his performances in the 2001-02 Bundesliga season that saw Dortmund claim the league title.
7. Mats Hummels
Among all the current center-backs in the world, Mats Hummels stands head and shoulders above most. The 32-year-old is a product of the Bayern Munich youth academy and has made over 300 appearances for the club across two stints. The first stint saw Hummels spend 9 years with the club making over 300 appearances before moving back to Bayern Munich.
Hummels is also one of the most decorated players in Germany. He first tasted success in 2010 with some fantastic performances helping Dortmund win back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. He would go on to win the Bundesliga in each of the seasons he spent at Bayern Munich. Hummels is a prominent figure in the German National side as well with 70 caps to his name. He was a part of the side that lifted the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
6. Stephane Chapuisat
Often paired alongside Karl-Heinze Riedle, Stephane Chapuisat formed a formidable partnership. While Riedle moved on to Liverpool, the Swiss international continued with Dortmund, thus becoming a legend of the club. Despite suffering injuries frequently, Chapuisat managed to make a significant impact.
Following a stint with Dortmund, the Swiss international also went on to have an impressive outing with Young Boys and the Switzerland national team before calling it quits in 2004. He made over 100 appearances for the Swiss national side and played in the 1994 World Cup.
5. Roman Weidenfeller
Roman Weidenfeller is a name that is synonymous with Borussia Dortmund. Since his transfer from Kaiserslautern II in 2002, the German custodian spent the following 15 years of his career with Borussia Dortmund. Barring the final three seasons, Weidenfeller was the number one goalkeeper for the club, making over 40 appearances on average.
Weidenfeller has been noted by several pundits for his presence in goal and is one of few players to be given a club testimonial. He currently serves as the club ambassador and is one of few retired players to continue to be associated with the club.
4. Robert Lewandowski
As things stand, Robert Lewandowski is the most prolific striker in the world. Period. While he is considered a legend at Bayern Munich, Lewandowski’s prolific career in German football began with Borussia Dortmund. The Polish international began playing alongside the likes of Jakub Blaszczykowski, Mario Gotze, Nuri Sahin, and Ilkay Gundogan.
In the four years he spent at Dortmund, Lewandowski established himself as one of the top strikers in Europe. He scored a total of 103 goals in 187 appearances for the club before signing for Bayern Munich. He has also made over 100 appearances for Poland and is the leading goalscorer for the Polish national side.
3. Andreas Moller
Andreas Moller was the lynchpin of a successful Borussia Dortmund side in the six seasons that he played for the club. The former German midfielder is considered to be the best midfielder of his generation by several pundits. His ability to read the game, pick a pass, and set up goals made him the target of several high-profile clubs during his playing career.
Moller was part of the ‘Golden Era’ of Borussia Dortmund where the club went on to win the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal, the DFB Supercup, and the UEFA Champions League. Moller was instrumental in helping Dortmund claim the 1996-97 UEFA Champions League title with an assist to his name. He also won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the 1996 European Championship with Germany.
2. Marco Reus
Having made over 300 appearances for Dortmund over 9 years, Marco Reus currently serves as the captain of the club. The 31-year-old has been noted for his versatility in attack with a knack for reading the game well. However, despite this, Reus has also had long bouts with injuries and has been prone to injuries for the better part of his career.
Although he has never been part of a World Cup winning team, Reus is regarded by many as a German legend having scored 13 times in 45 appearances. The 31-year-old can play across different positions in the attack including the wings and the playmaker role.
1. Matthias Sammer
In several circles, Matthias Sammer is known as Mr. Borussia Dortmund. Having joined the club towards the end of his career, Sammer has the distinction of having won the Bundesliga as a Dortmund player and a Dortmund manager.
Having played in central midfield, Sammer is considered to be one of the best midfielders to have ever played the game.
He also boasts of several individual accolades. The 1996 Ballon d’Or is among the most notable of his achievements. He was also part of the German side that claimed the 1996 European championships in England.
As with most stadiums, the fans of the Signal Iduna Park are passionate. The Yellow Wall is a spellbinding sight and certainly the heart of Borussia Dortmund. Likewise, as with most fantasy apps, BalleBaazi is more friendly and firepower.
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