Mehmet Scholl

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Scholl played for SV Nordwest Karlsruhe (from 1976 to 1982) and Karlsruher SC (from 1982 to 1992) before joining Bayern Munich in July 1992. He stayed at Bayern for the rest of his career, wearing the number 7 shirt. In 15 seasons at Bayern he played in 468 competitive matches for Bayern, scoring 116 goals – 88 of these appearances were in European cup competitions (18 goals). He was one of the Bundesliga's most successful players, winning the championship eight times. Aged 19, he made his Bundesliga debut on 21 April 1990, coming on for Karlsruher SC in the 78th minute of their away match against 1. FC Köln, and promptly scored his team's fifth goal in the 90th minute. He scored 98 goals (11 for Karlsruhe, 87 for Bayern) in 392 Bundesliga matches (58 for Karlsruhe, 334 for Bayern). Scholl has been praised for his technical ability, his creative playmaking, his dribbling skills, and his free kicks. In early 2001, he was voted Player of the Year 2000 by the professional players of the First and Second Bundesliga, and in May 2005, fans voted him one of the eleven greatest Bayern players of all time. Scholl played 36 matches for the German national team between 1995 and 2002, scoring eight goals. He was part of Germany's winning team at Euro 96 where he played in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final. In the 69th minute of the final when the Czech Republic was leading 1–0, he was substituted for the then relatively unknown Oliver Bierhoff who went on to score the two goals that turned the match around for Germany. Scholl also played in all three of Germany's games at Euro 2000, scoring Germany's only goal in the tournament against Romania. Scholl repeatedly suffered injuries throughout his career, preventing him from maintaining a regular spot on the national team and eventually prompting him to retire from the national team prior to the 2002 FIFA World Cup, making him one of Germany's most successful players never to have played in a World Cup. Among German football fans, Scholl was one of the most popular footballers because of his character and his unique skills. Before the 2006 World Cup Campaign, more than 100,000 people signed an online petition, 'Mehmet für Deutschland', to persuade Jürgen Klinsmann to include Scholl in the German squad. Despite the public support, Scholl was not included. On 27 April 2009, he was named as interim head coach for Bayern

In Their Own Story

In the 1996 UEFA Cup final, Scholl delivered a masterclass by scoring a goal in each leg of the match against Bordeaux. His international career peaked at Euro 96, where he played in the quarterfinal, semifinal, and final. In the final against the Czech Republic, Germany trailed 1–0 until the 69th minute when Scholl was substituted for Oliver Bierhoff. Although Scholl did not score the winning goals himself, his presence on the pitch set the stage for Bierhoff's heroics that turned the match around. Later, in May 2005, fans recognized his legacy by including him in Bayern's greatest XI. His unique skills and character made him a fan favorite, leading to over 100,000 signatures on a petition urging coach Jürgen Klinsmann to include him in the 2006 World Cup squad, though he was ultimately not selected.

Reader's Guide

Mehmet Scholl is a retired German attacking midfielder who spent most of his career at Bayern Munich, winning eight Bundesliga titles, the UEFA Cup in 1996, and the UEFA Champions League in 2001. He also won Euro 1996 with Germany. Known for his technical ability, dribbling, and free kicks, he was voted Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2000 and named to Bayern Munich's all-time XI in 2005. After retiring, he managed Bayern Munich II and works as a TV pundit.

Did You Know?

• Scholl scored a goal in each leg of the 1996 UEFA Cup final.
• He released two mixtapes in 2002 and 2003 featuring artists like Jimmy Eat World and Oasis.
• He is an avid follower of Buddhist principles despite being officially without religious confession.
• More than 100,000 fans signed a petition to include him in Germany's 2006 World Cup squad, but he was not selected.