15 Best German Football (Soccer) Players

15 Best German Football (Soccer) Players

The German National Team, formerly known as Die Mannschaft, was the winner of the 2014 World Cup. However, since then, the curse of champions seems to have a chokehold on them.

They have struggled at every major international tournament. A semifinal exit in EURO 2016, A group stage exit in the 2018 World Cup, and a Round of 16 exits at EURO 2020.

Despite these recent performances and disappointments, one thing remains true about Germany. That is that it still is a hub for a multitude of world talents. The squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was enough proof of this.

Below is a list of 15 of the best German players to grace the soccer field. This list only includes players currently in the German national team or who have played in recent history. Legends such as Gerd Muller, Franz Beckenbauer, and Uwe Seeler among many others will miss out.

So, without further ado:

15.Nico Schlotterbeck

Nico Cedric Schlotterbeck is a Centre-Back born in 1999 and currently playing for Borussia Dortmund. Having joined the Black and Yellow in 2022 from Freiburg, he has quickly established himself as a regular.

Schlotterbeck is an incredibly strong and tactically astute defender. He has an exceptional ability to intercept and win the ball from attacking opponents.
He has been called up to the national team due to his outstanding performance.

He started in Germany’s opener as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to a relentless Japanese side in the Qatar 2022 World Cup. He was benched for the second game against Spain but came on off the bench in the 87th minute. The game ended as a 1-1 draw.

Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Centre-Back
Caps: 7
Goals: 0

14. Jamal Musiala

Klostermann by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

 As far as potential goes, Jamal’s is sky-high. This attacking midfielder currently playing club football at Bayern Munich is a joy to watch. His statistics also speak for themselves. In the 2022/23 season (before the World Cup break), Jamal has 19 goal contributions in 21 games. It is this stellar form that has seen him make the list in Hansi Flick’s 26-Man Squad for the World Cup. He started their tournament opener against Japan and played for 78 minutes in the 2-1 loss.

Jamal has finished in 3rd place for two years in a row for the Kopa Trophy (2021 and 2022). He was also in contention for the Golden boy award in both years losing out to Barcelona wonderkids Pedri and Gavi. He started in Germany’s first 2 games in Qatar 2022. He got an assist for Germany in the 1-1 draw against Spain to salvage a point. However, Musiala impressed in both games putting on eye-catching performances.

13. Antonio Rudiger

Antonio Rüdiger by Granada from Wikimedia Commons

An FA Cup, the UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Champions League winner, it’s easy to see how and why Rudiger makes the list. Rudiger has been part of the German national team since 2014 (did not however participate in 2014’s WC win).
He started at Stuttgart’s academy and has since played for Roma, Chelsea, and Real Madrid.

Although he is yet to establish himself at Real Madrid, it’s only a matter of time. Currently, Rudiger is arguably Germany’s best centre back and he is the name you’re sure to find on the team sheet.

He played the full 90 minutes of Germany’s 2-1 loss to Japan and the 1-1 draw with Spain in Group E.

Current Club: Real Madrid
Position: Centre-Back
Caps: 55
Goals: 2

12. Serge Gnabry

Photo by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

Serge David Gnabry, formerly of Arsenal, is a 27-year-old forward currently at Bayern Munich. Serge is an explosive forward with an electric pace who is capable of cutting through the best of defenses.

If you’re not familiar with his game, mentioning that he took over from Frank Ribery at Bayern is enough to show how good he is. He is fast and strong, and his ability to use both feet makes him versatile enough to be used in any international scene attacking position. a wild card if I’ve ever seen one.

In the 2012/13 season (before the World Cup), he contributed 17 goals in 22 appearances for Bayern. This form earned him a position in Hansi Flick’s squad for the Qatar World Cup 2022. He played 90 minutes in the 2-1 loss to Japan in Qatar.

11. Leroy Sane

European Under-21 by Ailura from Wikimedia Commons

Kicking off his career at Schalke 04, Sane burst onto the international under Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. He tore up defenses with his pace, skill, and unbelievable eye for goal.

He has won the Premier League twice, the English FA Cup, The German Championship, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Sane made his international debut in 2015 and was part of the 2016 EURO semifinalists. Despite making the 26-man squad Sane was benched for the opening loss to Japan and did not make a cameo.

Current Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Winger
Caps: 48
Goals: 11

10. Kai Havertz

UEFA Euro 2020 by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

Yet another Champions League winner on the list! In 2021, Havertz scored the only winning goal as Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 to lift the coveted big ears.

Kai jumped into the international scene in 2016 at 17 years old. He was at his childhood club Bayer Leverkusen at the time. Havertz was primed to achieve great things and at just 23 years old, his accomplishments speak for themselves.

He has scored 15 goals in 69 matches at Chelsea. While many claims he is underachieving, Kai has been one of the most important Chelsea players since he joined. At the international level, Hansi Flick seems to have trust in Kai. He started Germany’s first game in the 2022 World Cup against Japan. However, after a not-so-impressive outing in the 2-1 loss to Japan, he was benched for the second game against Spain which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Current Club: Chelsea
Position: Attacking Midfielder or Forward
Caps: 32
Goals: 10

9. Julian Brandt

Julian by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

Having risen through the ranks at Bayer Leverkusen, Brandt was another highly acclaimed prospect. However, his career seems to have slowed down since making the move to BVB.

However, following an injury to Marco Reus, Brandt is getting more and more game-time which has seen him breathe life yet again into his career. Reus’ injury also opened up a midfield spot in Germany’s squad which Brandt was more than happy to fill. Hansi Flick picked Brandt in his 26-man 2022 World Cup Squad. However, Brandt did not feature in either of Germany’s first 2 games. 

At just 26 years old, the best is yet to come and he should not be written off. He is linked with a move away from Borussia constantly and while that may happen soon, there is no doubt he will succeed.

Current Club: Borussia Dortmund
Position: Attacking Midfielder or Left Winger
Caps: 39
Goals: 3

8. Mesut Ozil

Mesut Özil by Granada from Wikimedia Commons

The Assistant King as he is popularly known is a true German Legend. The end of his international career might have been marred by politics but that does not take away what he did for his nation in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.

Ozil is a La Liga title winner (Real Madrid), a 3-time FA Cup winner, and holds the record for most assists in a Premier League season at Arsenal. He holds the record for most German Player of the Year awards with 5.

He was the top assist provider at the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. More evidence of why he’s regarded as the assistant king. In 2018, Ozil announced his retirement from international competition, blaming the German Football Association (DFB) and German media for their treatment of him unfairly and disrespectfully. Regardless of this sad ending, he will go down as one of the best German players in their history.

Current Club: İstanbul Başakşehir
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Caps: 92
Goals: 23

7.Bastian Schweinsteiger

Bastian Schweinsteiger by Marcello Casal from Wikimedia Commons

Bastian Schweinsteiger was a highly regarded midfielder during his playing years and will go down as a footballing great. His tactical awareness, positioning, passing, and natural reading of the game are what made him special.

He played for Bayern Munich and Manchester United before joining the Chicago fire where he retired in 2019. Bastian made 479 club appearances scoring 56 times.

He joined Germany’s senior team in 2004 and played all through 2016. His national football career ended with him as the fourth-most-capped German player of all time. He was part of the 2014 World Cup Winning team and played a crucial role.

Current Club: Retired
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 121
Goals: 24

6. Miroslav Klose

Nowitzki All Stars by Sven Mandel from Wikimedia Commons

There was no way I could leave out Klose. He holds the record for most goals in FIFA World Cup tournaments with 16 goals.

Klose while a reliable striker was not as prolific at the club level. He played for 1. FC Kaiserslautern, Werder Bremen, Bayern Munich, and Lazio. Klose was just a whole different player when playing for Germany which is why he makes the list and deservedly so.

He retired from the national team in 2014 after the World Cup win and in 2016 he ended his club career at Lazio.

Current Club: Retired
Position: Forward
Caps: 137
Goals: 71

5. Leon Goretzka

Bundesliga by Granada from Wikimedia Commons

Yet another Bayern Munich player on Germany’s national side (and we’re not done yet!). Goretzka is one of those all-rounded midfielders. Whether you want him to lie deep and defend, build up play from box to box or attack all out, he will get the job done.

Part of the German senior squad since May 2014, Goretzka was part of the 2018 and now 2022 World Cup squads. He came on for Gundogan in the 2022 World Cup Group E opener as Germany blew a 1-0 lead to lose 2-1 to Japan.

Current Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 46
Goals: 14

4. Joshua Kimmich

Joshua Kimmich by Granada from Wikimedia Commons

Reliable, consistent, level-headed, and an immense mentality monster. Just a few words to describe Bayern’s, Joshua Kimmich. After rising through the ranks at Stuttgart then Leipzig’s academy, Kimmich began his senior career at Leipzig in 2013.

In 2015, he joined Bayern Munich and the world has remained in awe since. He has picked up trophy after trophy at Bayern and he has no signs of slowing down. At 27, Kimmich is only just approaching his peak which is scary.

Kimmich has won the champions league and 7 Bundesliga titles including a treble in 2020. In 2020 he was named UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season and included in UEFA’s Team of the Year.

He made his debut for Germany at EURO 2016 and played the entirety of the tournament to the semifinals where they were eliminated. He was part of Hansi Flick’s 2022 World Cup and started as a Defensive Midfielder for the opener playing the entirety of the 2-1 loss to Japan.

Current Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Defensive Midfielder, Right-Back
Caps: 72
Goals: 5

3.İlkay Gündoğan

İlkay Gündoğan by Granada from Wikimedia Commons

The veteran midfielder proves that age is just but a number! He is putting in solid performances for both club and country.

Gundogan joined moved to Manchester back in 2016 after an impressive stint at Borussia Dortmund and he proved he could do it in England as well. He found his shooting boots under Pep, scoring 38 goals in his 139 games at City.

He has won the Premier League 4 times, an FA Cup, and the EFL Cup 4 times. He has played for the national side since 2011. He missed the 2014 World Cup but has participated in every other major tournament for Germany.

He started in Germany’s Qatar 2022 World Cup opener and scored a penalty to give Germany the lead. However, they lost the game 2-1 after a shock comeback from a resilient Japanese side.

Current Club: Manchester City
Position: Midfielder
Caps: 64
Goals: 17

2. Manuel Neur

Manuel Neuer by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

As far as goalkeeping goes, I doubt it gets better than Neur. He is regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the game’s history and rightfully so. Neur rose through Schalke’s youth academy and began his senior career there. He moved to Bayern in 2011 and has since made 322 appearances for the German club. He has 28 trophies as a Bayern player including 2 Champions Leagues and 10 Bundesliga titles.

In 2014 he finished 3rd in the Ballon d’Or rankings behind Ronaldo and Messi who won it. Neur has been Germany’s number 1 since the 2010 World Cup. Presently at 36 years of age, he was still good in his 4th World Cup tournament in Qatar.

Will he play in the 2026 World Cup? Only time will tell. For now, all we’re sure of is that he is already a club and national legend in Germany.

Current Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Goalkeeper
Caps: 115
Goals: 0

1. Thomas Muller

Thomas Müller by Steffen Prößdorf from Wikimedia Commons

The Raumdeuter meaning Space interpreter is the self-given name that so perfectly explains and summarizes him as a player. He might not be the most physically gifted player but Muller will find the space to score or create a chance.

He made his international debut in 2010 and was part of the squad at the 2010 World Cup. He was awarded the best young player of the competition, and his five goals earned him the Golden Boot as the top scorer. Thus, the world was introduced to Thomas Muller!

At the club level, he has played for Bayern Munich only, winning 32 trophies. This made him the most decorated German Player. At the Qatar 2022 World Cup, he failed to score in the opener. He was the highest World Cup scorer coming into the tournament.

Current Club: Bayern Munich
Position: Attacking Midfielder or Forward
Caps: 119
Goals: 44

Germany came into the 2022 World Cup hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2018 World Cup. However, they somehow found themselves in a worse situation in 2022 than in 2018. In 2018 they lost the first game but won the second one and only had to get a draw in their first game to qualify. They went on to lose the final group game against South Korea and get eliminated in the group stage.

Despite winning their last game against Costa Rica, they were eliminated in the group stages of the 2022 World Cup. However, the fans remain loyal to the players beyond the World Cup.