Lars Ricken

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ricken’s professional journey began in his hometown, joining local Borussia early. He made history as the club's youngest ever official match player when he debuted on 8 March 1994 in a 1–2 home defeat against VfB Stuttgart. From the following season, he became a regular contributor, helping secure back-to-back national titles with 8 goals in 47 matches between 1994 and 1996. His defining moment arrived on 28 May 1997 in the UEFA Champions League final against Juventus FC. Substituted into the match, Ricken found the net just 16 seconds after entering the pitch, setting a record for the fastest goal by a substitute in a final. This strike secured the 1–0 victory and the trophy. Although injuries hampered his later career—leading to a demotion to the reserve team in April 2007—he restored form enough to score six goals in the 2001–02 season, helping Dortmund claim their third league title.

In Their Own Story

The 1996–97 Champions League final against Juventus remains the pinnacle of Ricken’s career. With the match deadlocked and extra time approaching, manager Ottmar Hitzfeld brought on the young midfielder. The moment he stepped onto the field, Andreas Möller delivered a precise pass that found Ricken outside the box. In just 16 seconds, he unleashed a thunderous long-distance shot that flew past goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi into the top corner. This goal not only won the match but also stood as the fastest goal by a substitute in a Champions League final for decades. Despite missing major international tournaments due to injury, including the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000, Ricken earned his first German cap on 10 September 1997 against Armenia. He later represented Germany at the 2002 World Cup, though he did not play as they finished runners-up.

Reader's Guide

Ricken’s post-playing career was immediately defined by a return to youth development. On 11 June 2008, Michael Zorc announced Ricken would join as youth coordinator with immediate effect, even as he briefly played for the amateur side in the Regionalliga West. He formally retired from professional football on 16 February 2009. For sixteen years, from 2008 until April 2024, he shaped the next generation of Dortmund talent. His tenure ended with a promotion to the club's highest sporting office; on 22 April 2024, it was announced he would take over as CEO for Sport from Hans-Joachim Watzke, beginning 1 May 2024. Throughout his life in football, Ricken remained a one-club man, representing Germany internationally for five years and collecting the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt award in 2002.

Did You Know?

• Ricken was the youngest player to ever appear for Borussia Dortmund in an official match until Nuri Şahin broke the record.
• His goal in the 1997 Champions League final came just 16 seconds after he entered the field as a substitute, setting a competition record.
• He announced his retirement from football in November 2007 but briefly attended a training camp with Columbus Crew in February 2008 before returning to Germany.
• Ricken served as youth coordinator for Borussia Dortmund for exactly 16 years, from 2008 until April 2024.
• He scored six goals during the 2001–02 season, a career-best that helped secure the Bundesliga title before his retirement.