Paul Breitner is a former German football player who is considered one of the best players the country has ever had. He was one of the most popular and controversial players in his country. He scored in the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, which West Germany won. He played for West Germany for 48 times and was named to the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. He was born in Bavaria and started playing football when he was young. As a teenager, he became known for how well he played. He was tall, athletic, and had a lot of stamina. As a 17-year-old, he was picked for the West Germany Under-18 team, which set the stage for his great career. As a young person, he was brave and rebellious, and his politically incorrect comments got him into trouble early on in his career. But his skill as a player made up for how rude he was, and he quickly became a mainstay at the Bayern Munich club, where he would spend most of his career. In 1972, he was on the German team that won the European Championship. Two years later, he helped his team win the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He started working as a commentator, pundit, and columnist after he retired.
Early years and childhood
Paul Breitner was born in Kolbermoor, Bavaria, West Germany, on September 5, 1951. From a young age, his parents encouraged him to think for himself. He was taught to never obey authority just because he was told to. This was a lesson he would always remember.
He got tall, strong, and athletic as he got older, and he became very interested in sports. By the time he was in his teens, he was a good football player. He was especially good as a striker.
Paul Breitner’s Career
As a 17-year-old, he was picked for the West Germany Under-18 team, which was the start of his sports career. In his first game, they lost to Yugoslavia 4-1. He scored one goal.
In 1970, he joined the Bayern Munich club. But soon after that, he got a notice from the army that he had to join. He tried to avoid being drafted, but he had to serve in the army for a short time in the end.
By 1971, he had become one of Bayern’s most popular players. In 1972, he won the European Championship with the German team. This was the first big thing he did.
In 1974, he did something even more impressive. In the final of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, against the Netherlands, he scored the first German goal on a penalty kick, which helped his team win.
By this time, he was a big football star in Germany and was getting contract offers from other teams as well. After the World Cup, he stopped playing for West Germany and joined Real Madrid.
Many of his fans were surprised when he quit the West German team, but he later explained that it had always been his dream to play for Real Madrid. He played for Real Madrid under coach Miljan Miljanic, who moved him to midfield. There, he got to play with fellow German Gunter Netzer, who became one of his best friends for life.
In 1976, when he was already a famous athlete, he was offered a part in a movie. He was the main character in the spaghetti western “Potato Fritz,” which was about Germans who meet some gold thieves.
At the end of the 1976–1977 season, Real Madrid didn’t do very well, and the team was knocked out of the European Cup in the second round. During this time, Breitner left the club, but he came back in 1978 to play for Bayern Munich.
During the 1981-82 season, he scored 18 goals, which was the most of his career, but he found the whole season to be frustrating. He led West Germany to the final of the 1982 World Cup in Spain, where they lost to Italy 3–1. Only the fact that Paul Breitner scored the only goal for West Germany was a small comfort.
After a very successful club career in which he won seven National Championships—five with Bayern Munich and two with Real Madrid—he stopped playing in 1983. In 1974 and 1975, he also helped his team win the Champions’ Cup and the Spanish Cup.
After he retired, he moved to Germany to work as a commentator, pundit, and columnist. He also gives advice to the Bayern board of directors.
Awards & Achievements
In 1974, the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team included Paul Breitner.
In 1981, he was chosen as the best football player in Germany.
He was also put on the FIFA All-Time World Cup Team.
Personal History and Legacies
He has three grown-up children with his wife, Hildegard Breitner. He also loves his grandchildren very much and is very proud of them.
Estimated Net worth
Paul Breitner is one of the soccer players with the most money and is on the list of the most popular soccer players. Based on what we’ve found on Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider, Paul Breitner’s net worth is about $1.5 million.