Karl-Heinz Körbel Bundesliga Appearances Record
Eintracht Frankfurt – German champions once, European Cup finalists, and home to the Bundesliga's all-time appearance leader.
Eintracht Frankfurt e.V. is a German professional sports club based in Frankfurt, Hesse. It is best known for its football club, which was founded on 8 March 1899. The club currently plays in the Bundesliga, the top tier of the German football league system.
Quick Facts
- Status
- All-time Record Holder
Lore & Background
The player with the highest number of appearances (602) in the Bundesliga, Charly Körbel, spent his entire senior career as a defender for Eintracht Frankfurt. His 602 appearances remain the all-time record.
Reader's Guide
Eintracht Frankfurt have won the German championship once, the DFB-Pokal five times, the UEFA Europa League twice and finished as runner-up in the European Cup once. The club has 155,000 members and is the fourth largest club playing in German football. Since 1925 their stadium has been the Waldstadion, currently named Deutsche Bank Park.
Did You Know?
- Eintracht Frankfurt have the highest number of losses in the Bundesliga (717).
- The club's primary rival is local club Kickers Offenbach, though they have only played two league matches within the last 40 years.
- With almost 14,000 active athletes in over 50 sports in 2024, Eintracht Frankfurt is the largest multi-sports club in the world with a professional football team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who holds the record for most Bundesliga appearances?
Karl-Heinz Körbel is the undisputed holder of this record, having played 602 matches in Germany's top flight. He achieved this feat while dedicating his entire professional career solely to Eintracht Frankfurt between 1972 and 1991.
What was Karl-Heinz Körbel's role on the pitch?
Körbel primarily operated as a right-back, though he also utilized his versatility to play as a winger during his long tenure. His consistent performance in these positions allowed him to maintain peak durability for nearly two decades.
How many Bundesliga matches did Karl-Heinz Körbel play?
Körbel appeared in exactly 602 Bundesliga games, a number that remains unmatched by any other player in the league's history. This total reflects an extraordinary level of consistency across nineteen seasons of competition.
When did Karl-Heinz Körbel retire from professional football?
He officially ended his playing career in 1991 after completing a remarkable eighteen-year spell with Eintracht Frankfurt. Since retiring, he remains celebrated as an eternal icon who defined longevity and dedication in German football.
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