Stefan Reuter

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Lore & Background

During his playing career, he was included in the West Germany national team which won the 1990 FIFA World Cup and the Germany which won UEFA Euro 1996. He also won the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League with Borussia Dortmund. Reuter started his career with local side TSV 1860 Dinkelsbühl. In 1982, he played for 1. FC Nürnberg. In 1988, he was transferred to Bayern Munich. From 1991 to 1992 he played for Juventus, then joined Borussia Dortmund. With Borussia, Reuter won the Bundesliga in 1994–95, 1995–96 and 2001–02, and the UEFA Champions League in 1996–97. Overall, he played 307 games for Dortmund and scored 11 goals in the Bundesliga before retiring in 2004. He earned 69 caps for the senior national team, scoring two goals. At Euro 1996 he scored one of the penalties in the semi-final shootout against England, but was suspended for the final. His last game was the first round match against the USA on 15 June 1998.

In Their Own Story

The defining moment of Stefan Reuter's Dortmund career occurred during the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League campaign. After winning the league in consecutive seasons, he helped lead the team to the final against Juventus. On that night in Munich, Reuter was part of the squad that secured the club's first European Cup. His contributions were vital throughout the tournament and the season, showcasing his ability to adapt between defensive and midfield roles. The team also faced setbacks, such as losing the UEFA Cup finals in 1993 and 2002, but Reuter remained a constant presence. He played his final professional game for Dortmund before retiring in 2004, having accumulated exactly 307 games and 11 goals. His loyalty was rewarded with three league titles and the ultimate prize in European football.

Reader's Guide

Reuter is a member of the board of trustees of the Stiftung Jugendfußball (youth football foundation) founded in 2000 by him, Jürgen Klinsmann, other German national team players and the lecturers of the special Pro Licence course. He was the last active professional from the German 1990 World Cup winning squad.

Did You Know?

• Reuter won the U-16 European Championship in 1984 with West Germany.
• He was nicknamed 'Turbo' for his dynamic sprints.
• He became the first player in European Championship history to be substituted as a substitute, during the 1992 match between Germany and Scotland.
• Reuter received the Silver Laurel Leaf as a member of the 1990 World Cup football team.