Matthias Sammer
The Ballon d'Or-winning sweeper who led Germany to Euro 1996 glory.
via Wikipedia: Matthias Sammer · see source
Matthias Sammer is a German football official and former player and coach. He played as a defensive midfielder and later as a sweeper. For Germany, he won UEFA Euro 1996 as a player, where he was named the tournament's best player, and was subsequently awarded the Ballon d'Or later that year. Sammer retired with 74 total caps, 23 for East Germany and 51 for the unified side.
Quick Facts
- Height
- 1.81 m / 5 ft 11 in
- Born
- 5 September 1967
- Birthplace
- Dresden, East Germany
- Position
- Defensive midfielder, sweeper
- Current club
- Borussia Dortmund (external advisor)
- Total caps
- 291
- Total goals
- 84
Lore & Background
Sammer debuted for East Germany in November 1986 in a UEFA Euro 1988 qualifier against France. On 12 September 1990, he captained East Germany in its final match, scoring both goals in a 2–0 win over Belgium. He debuted for the unified Germany on 19 December 1990, a 4–0 win against Switzerland. At UEFA Euro 1992, Germany was beaten in the final by Denmark. At the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Germany was knocked out by Bulgaria at the quarter-final stage. At UEFA Euro 1996, playing as a libero, Sammer scored the opening goal against Russia and the winning goal against Croatia in the quarter-final. After Germany defeated the Czech Republic in the final, Sammer was named Player of the Tournament. He played his final match for Germany on 7 June 1997 in a 1998 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ukraine, and did not take part at the 1998 FIFA World Cup due to injury.
Reader's Guide
Sammer represented East Germany at every age group from 1982 to 1990, winning the 1986 UEFA European Under-18 Football Championship and finishing third at the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship. He made his full East Germany debut in November 1986. After reunification, he debuted for Germany on 19 December 1990. He was part of the squads for Euro 1992 (runners-up), the 1994 World Cup (quarter-finals), and Euro 1996 (champions). At Euro 1996, he scored against Russia and Croatia, was named Player of the Tournament, and later won the Ballon d'Or. His final cap came on 7 June 1997. He retired with 74 caps: 23 for East Germany and 51 for the unified side.
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