Rudi Völler
The flying German who scored 47 goals for Germany and won the 1990 World Cup.
via Wikipedia: Rudi Völler · see source
Rudi Völler is a German professional football manager and former player, currently the sporting director of the Germany national team. During his playing career, he was a forward known for his consistent goalscoring. He earned 90 caps for the Germany national team, scoring 47 goals, and was part of the squad that won the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He also played in two consecutive World Cup finals against Argentina, winning in 1990 after losing in 1986. Völler is joint-fourth on Germany's all-time goalscorer list with Jürgen Klinsmann, having been surpassed by Miroslav Klose and Lukas Podolski.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Rudolf Völler
- Born
- 13 April 1960
- Birthplace
- Hanau, West Germany
- Height
- 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in
- Position
- Forward
- Current club
- Germany (sporting director)
- Total caps
- 542
- Total goals
- 257
Lore & Background
Völler made his senior debut for West Germany in a UEFA Euro 1984 qualifier against Northern Ireland and scored his first goal in the following qualifier against Albania. At the 1986 World Cup, he scored the equalizer against Scotland, an 89th-minute winner against France in the semi-final, and a goal in the final against Argentina to make it 2-2, though Germany lost 3-2. He became the third player to score as a substitute in a World Cup final. At Euro 1988, he scored twice in a 2-0 win over Spain. At the 1990 World Cup, he scored three times, including a goal against Yugoslavia and two against the United Arab Emirates. In the second round against the Netherlands, he was sent off alongside Frank Rijkaard after the Dutchman spat on Völler twice. Völler started the final against Argentina, which West Germany won 1-0. At Euro 1992, he was sent home after an injury in the opening game. At the 1994 World Cup, he made one substitute appearance in the group stage and started the second round match against Belgium, scoring twice in a 3-2 win. His final appearance was a 2-1 quarter-final loss to Bulgaria on 10 July 1994.
Reader's Guide
Völler was capped 90 times for Germany, scoring 47 goals, including eight in World Cup final rounds. He represented West Germany at the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he was named the tournament's Golden Player, scoring four goals in three appearances as Germany finished runner-up to England. At the 1986 World Cup, he scored in the group stage against Scotland, the semi-final against France, and the final against Argentina. At the 1990 World Cup, he scored against Yugoslavia and twice against the United Arab Emirates in the group stage, then started the final as Germany won 1-0. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored twice in a 3-2 win over Belgium in the second round. After retiring, Völler became manager of the Germany national team, leading them to the 2002 World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil. He resigned after a group-stage exit at Euro 2004.
Did You Know?
- Völler was nicknamed 'Tante Käthe' ('Aunt Kathy') by Thomas Berthold due to his permed hairstyle.
- He was the top scorer of the 2. Bundesliga in 1981–82 and the Bundesliga in 1982–83.
- He is one of four people (with Mário Zagallo, Franz Beckenbauer, and Didier Deschamps) to reach a World Cup final as both a player and a manager.
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