Wolfgang Overath

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Overath started playing football at SSV Siegburg, but spent the majority of his career at 1. FC Köln, appearing 765 times between 1962 and 1977 and scoring 287 goals. He won the inaugural Bundesliga with 1. FC Köln in 1964, overall he appeared in the first 14 seasons of the newly formed top-flight, and the German Cup in 1968. At European club level he played 71 matches (11 goals) for 1. FC Köln. He currently holds the all-time appearances record of the club (549 official matches played). In total, Overath won 81 caps for the national side between 1963 and 1974, scoring 17 goals. As well as the World Cup victory in 1974, he was at the heart of the West German midfield when they reached the final in 1966 and achieved third place in 1970. Overath scored the only goal in the latter match, with many foreign journalists voting him Germany's best player in Mexico. Overath is one of only seven players (alongside his teammates Franz Beckenbauer, Jürgen Grabowski, Horst-Dieter Höttges, Sepp Maier, later compatriot Miroslav Klose, and Italian Franco Baresi) with World Cup medals for first, second and third place. A main rival in the national team for leading the midfield was the flamboyant Günter Netzer from Borussia Mönchengladbach, German Player of the year in 1972 and 73. However, German coach Helmut Schön preferred the more staid Overath. An injury forced Overath out of the side before the quarterfinals of the European Championships 1972 where Netzer became alongside Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller one of the outstanding protagonists leading the side, considered still Germany's best of all time, to victory in the final over the USSR. Overath soon regained his place ahead of Netzer, due to the latter's now being injured. Netzer himself said that Overath 'was born to play for Germany'. In 2004, he was elected President of 1. FC Köln. He resigned on 13 November 2011.

In Their Own Story

During the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, Overath delivered a defining performance against Italy, scoring the match's only goal. Many foreign journalists voted him Germany's best player in that tournament. Although he faced stiff competition from the flamboyant Günter Netzer of Borussia Mönchengladbach—Germany's Player of the Year in 1972 and 1973—coach Helmut Schön often preferred the more steady Overath for the national side. An injury sidelined him before the quarterfinals of Euro 1972, allowing Netzer to shine alongside Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller as they won the final against the USSR. However, Overath soon regained his place after Netzer's own injury. Netzer later remarked that Overath "was born to play for Germany."

Reader's Guide

A left-footed playmaker, Overath's style of play was frequently compared to his contemporary and rival, Günter Netzer. He is regarded as one of the prominent German midfielders of his era. Known primarily as an attacking midfielder with passing accuracy, ball control, and shooting ability, he also contributed defensively.

Did You Know?

• Overath has been married to his wife Karin for 57 years. They have three children: two sons and one adopted daughter.
• He was named an honorary citizen of Siegburg in 2003.
• Overath was awarded the Egidius-Braun-Preis for his charity work.
• Overath is a devout Roman Catholic who prays daily.