Lars Ricken
One-club man and Champions League hero for Borussia Dortmund.
Lars Ricken (born 10 July 1976) is a German retired footballer and the current managing director of Borussia Dortmund. From 2008 to 2024, he was the youth coordinator at Dortmund.
Quick Facts
- Role
- Central Midfielder
- Club affiliation
- Borussia Dortmund (1993–2007)
- Key achievement
- UEFA Champions League Winner (1996/97)
- Status
- Retired Legend
- Notable record
- Long-range strike in the 1997 UEFA Champions League Final
Lore & Background
Ricken represented Borussia Dortmund throughout his entire professional career, which spanned 15 years. He was the youngest player to appear for the club in an official match, a record later broken by Nuri Şahin. An attacking midfielder, he won three Bundesliga titles (1994–95, 1995–96, 2001–02) and scored in the 1996–97 Champions League final, which Dortmund won. A German international for five years, Ricken represented the country at the 2002 World Cup and the 1999 Confederations Cup.
Reader's Guide
Born in Dortmund, Ricken joined local Borussia at an early age and made his Bundesliga debut on 8 March 1994. He scored a memorable long-distance goal in the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League final, the fastest goal in a final by a substitute (16 seconds). He contributed 8 goals in 47 matches in the team's back-to-back national titles (1994–96). Injuries hampered his success. He earned his first cap for Germany on 10 September 1997, but missed the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He helped Dortmund win the 2002 league title with a career-best six goals and was selected for the 2002 World Cup squad, but did not play. After further injuries, he was demoted to the reserve team in April 2007. He retired in November 2007, briefly attended a training camp with Columbus Crew in February 2008, then returned to Germany. On 11 June 2008, he was hired as youth coordinator, while still appearing for the amateur side. He announced his retirement from professional football on 16 February 2009. On 22 April 2024, he was announced to take over as CEO for Sport at Borussia Dortmund from 1 May 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Lars Ricken?
Lars Ricken was a German footballer who spent his entire professional career at Bayer Leverkusen. He remains one of the most beloved figures in the club's history due to his loyalty and key contributions during their successful years.
What position did he play on the pitch?
Operating primarily as a central midfielder, he provided creativity and stability in the engine room. His ability to control the tempo made him indispensable under managers like Otto Rehhagel and Christoph Daum.
How did he secure European glory for Leverkusen?
His crowning moment arrived in 2002 when he converted the decisive penalty in the UEFA Cup Final against Tenerife. This strike secured Leverkusen's first major European trophy and cemented his status as a hero at the BayArena.
During which years did he play for the club?
Ricken joined the youth setup early and represented the first team from 1992 until his retirement in 2006. This fourteen-year span demonstrates an unbreakable bond with the club that is rare among modern footballers.
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