Picture : Lothar MATTHÄUS with the IFFHS-ADIDAS Award for THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYER 1990

IFFHS – THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYER 1990 : LOTHAR MATTHÄUS (GERMANY)

PRESENTATION 

Born on 21 March 1961 in Bavaria, Lothar Matthäus  began his youth career in Herzogenaurach before signing a professionnal contract in 1979 with Borussia Mönchengladbach, for whom he played until 1984 (162 matches, 36 goals). He joined FC Bayern München from 1984 to 1988 (113 matches, 57 goals) and won in this period 3  Bundesliga titles (1984/85,1985/86, 1986/87), one German Cup (1985/86) and reached the European Cup final in 1987 losing against FC Porto.

He continued his career in Italy with Inter Milan from 1988 to 1992 where he won  the Serie A title (1988/89), the Italian Super Cup and the UEFA Cup in 1991, playing 115 matches and scoring 40 goals with Inter.

Lothar Matthäus and FC Bayern München : 12 years together !

Returning to Bayern München in 1992, he won 4 Bundesliga titles (1993/94, 96/97, 98/99, 1999/2000), 2 German Cups (1997/98, 1999/2000), the UEFA Cup 1995/96 and reached again the European Cup final to loose it a second time in 1999 against Manchester United. He played his last match with Bayern in March 2000 ( 189 matches, 28 goals) before to move to New York City Metros Stars for one year and become MLS Eastern champion.

Lothar Matthäus was called for the first time in the West German national team in 1980 and  had 150 international caps (23 goals) in 20 years international career. He won the UEFA European Cup 1980  and the greatest for a footballer : the FIFA World Cup 1990 as captain of Germany.

Lothar and the WORLD CUP 1990

1990 : Lothar Matthäus, captain of Germany, won the FIFA World Cup in Italy against Argentina and Maradona. He became the second player after Marco Van Basten (winner in 1988 and 1989) to receive the IFFHS Award of THE WORLD’S BEST PLAYER 1990. This Award was changed after that date to become THE FIFA PLAYER of the Year.

Matthäus held the record of having played 5 FIFA World Cups (1982, 86, 90, 94, 98) and the most World Cup matches played (25 matches). He played 4 UEFA Euros and is the most capped German player of all time . Versatile and complete player, he is regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of all time.

Coach Lothar Matthäus

Lothar Matthäus started then a coaching career  with mixed results in Rapid Vienna  (Austria – 2001/02),  FK Partizan (Serbia – 2002-2003, one National title) before  become manager of the Hungary National Team  in 2003  to 2006. He signed a one year contract with Atlético Paranaense in Brazil, shared the coaching with Giovanni Trapattoni in Red Bull Salzburg 2006/07 with an Austrian title, made a little year in Maccabi Netanya (Israël – 2008/09) before joining the Bulgaria National team in september 2010 for one year without great success.