The history of German football on Retrofootball’s Instagram


How does football’s collective memory work? Why do some players remain forever etched in our memories, whilst others – perhaps less well-known in their day, or long forgotten – suddenly reappear and spark a huge wave of affection?

At Retrofootball, we believe that the history of football isn’t just about major titles, records or the most famous names.

The history of football is also experienced in many different ways. It comes to the surface through clubs and competitions – some high-profile, others less well-known – which transport us to another era; and, of course, through a shirt we recognise instantly, or a goal we still remember, a special celebration; and, more often than not, through our legendary footballers, whose names instantly take us back to our childhood.

Sometimes, our collective memory takes us by surprise. A player who doesn’t always feature at the top of the history books can stir up more emotion today than an established star, simply because the latter is already so well known.

Remembering football is not just about assessing who was the best, but also about discovering who left a special mark on the fans and understanding what makes a player remain in the hearts of those who lived through — or later discovered — that era.

For this reason, we wanted to take a look at our own community. On our Instagram account, @retrofootball.eu, posts dedicated to German footballers from the 70s, 80s and 90s offer us a perspective on the legacy of those generations.

Likes don’t tell the whole story, but they can spark an interesting conversation: which players still evoke memories, admiration and affection so many years on?

We want to revisit those stories, shine a light on footballers who perhaps deserve more recognition, and discover which names – or perhaps moments – remain vivid in the memories of German fans.

Now we want to hear from you. Which German footballers from the 70s, 80s and 90s deserve a prominent place in today’s article? Who do you remember with particular fondness? Which legends, cult figures or forgotten heroes would you like to see back in the spotlight?

The ‘likes’ on @retrofootball.eu have given us a few names of footballers, and perhaps – or perhaps not – some of them will surprise you.

Andreas ‘Andy’ Möller: the silent hero of German football

An attacking midfielder who, despite his great achievements, perhaps never attained the fame of other footballers with less impressive honours lists.

Andreas ‘Andy’ Möller was born in 1967 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

With the German national team, he was crowned World Champion in 1990 and European Champion in 1996. He also featured in the 1992 European Championship, in which Germany finished as runners-up, and the 1994 and 1998 World Cups. In total, he played 85 international matches and scored 29 goals.

One of his most memorable moments came in the semi-final of the 1996 European Championship against England. At Wembley, he scored the decisive penalty following a shoot-out that ended 5–5 and Gareth Southgate’s historic miss. His celebration became a widely recognised, legendary image and remains etched in the memories of fans to this day.

Andreas Möller celebrating his penalty goal at Euro 1996.

Clubs and honours:

Eintracht Frankfurt (1985–87, 1990–92, 2003–04): his hometown club, where he began his career, returned to on several occasions and where he ended his playing career.

Borussia Dortmund (1987–90, 1994–2000): he won two Bundesliga titles (1995, 1996), 1 DFB-Pokal (1989), 2 DFB-Supercups (1995, 1996), the Champions League (1997) and the Intercontinental Cup (1997).

Juventus (1992–94): during his time in Italy, he won the UEFA Cup in 1993.

Schalke 04 (2000–03): he won two German Cups (2001, 2002).

From Frankfurt to Dortmund, via Turin and Gelsenkirchen, Möller left a significant mark on German football in the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, his legacy is once again attracting interest: he is the player who has received the most ‘likes’ from our community of retro football fans on @retrofootball.eu; 1.7K 

Mario Basler, ‘Super Mario’: talent and decisive goals

Known as ‘Super Mario’, Mario Basler stood out for his extraordinary skill at free-kicks and his ability to decide matches with flashes of genius. He was a rebellious player with a mind of his own, and perhaps that is what made him so charismatic.

Born on 18 December 1968, he was a German midfielder with great talent from set pieces.

His club career:

1. FC Kaiserslautern (1987–1989): made his professional debut.

Rot-Weiss Essen (1989–1991): continued his career in German football.

Hertha Berlin (1991–1993): continued to develop as a midfielder.

Werder Bremen (1993–1996): won the DFB-Pokal in 1994.

Bayern Munich (1996–1999): won two Bundesliga titles (1996–97, 1998–99) and the 1998 DFB-Pokal, in which he scored the winning goal. In 1999, he reached the Champions League final with Bayern Munich and scored an unforgettable free-kick against Manchester United. However, the German side ended up losing in injury time.

1. FC Kaiserslautern (1999–2000): he returned to the club where he had begun his professional career.

His international career

Basler was called up for the 1994 World Cup and was part of the German squad that won the 1996 European Championship, although an injury prevented him from playing in that tournament.

A midfielder with exceptional technique, capable of turning a match on its head with a single strike.

Mario Basler, ‘Super Mario’, left his mark on German football in the 1990s, as reflected in the positive response from our community and how his post went viral; on our social media @retrofootball.eu, it reached 1.6KK

Jürgen Klinsmann: the striker known for his acrobatic goals

His acrobatic finishes and his instinct for goal made him one of the most recognisable strikers in European football in the 1990s. A true specialist at finding the back of the net.

With the German national team, he was one of the mainstays of the 1990s. He won the 1990 World Cup, in which he played all seven matches and scored three goals, and the 1996 European Championship. He also took part in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and the 1988 and 1992 European Championships.

Many fans still remember his goal against South Korea.

Jürgen Klinsmann wearing an Inter Milan jacket in an Italian café

Su His career spanning seven major European clubs and honours:

Stuttgarter Kickers (1981–1984): where he began his professional career.

VfB Stuttgart (1984–1989): he made the leap to the elite of German football.

Inter Milan (1989–1992): won the UEFA Cup in 1991.

AS Monaco (1992–1994): continued his adventure in French football.

Tottenham Hotspur (1994–1995 and 1997–1998): spent two spells in English football.

Bayern Munich (1995–1997): won the UEFA Cup in 1996 and the Bundesliga in 1997.

Sampdoria (1997): played in Italian football before returning to Tottenham.


His spectacular style, his acrobatic goals and his outstanding performances for Germany and at some of Europe’s biggest clubs make him one of those strikers whom fans from the 1990s remember with particular fondness.

There was something about his football that was hard to forget, and this is reflected in the 933 likes his post received on @retrofootball.eu

* * *

Andreas Möller, Mario Basler and Jürgen Klinsmann are, for now, the three German footballers who have generated the most excitement amongst our RETROFOOTBALL fan community, @retrofootball.eu

But it doesn’t end there: we’ll keep adding names to this little journey through the history and nostalgia of German football.

As you know, at Retrofootball we love football from the 70s, 80s and 90s and remembering those players who left their mark. Some are legends, others not quite so much, but they all played a brand of football whose moments never fade – because, believe it or not, even so many years on, they still stir up memories, affection and passion amongst the fans. The list goes on!

***

And finally, if you love retro football kits as much as we do here at RETROFOOTBALL, in this post we’re sharing a link to the OFFICIAL RETRO Inter Milan jacket from the 1970s, following in the footsteps of the great Jürgen Klinsmann, a player who travelled the length and breadth of Europe through the clubs he played for.