Lothar Matthaus is a football executive and former German footballer. He was one of Germany’s greatest players and is often recognized as one of the best midfielders of all time. Matthaus began his career with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany, where he quickly established himself as one of the country’s most promising young players. Matthaus was soon called up to the German national team, and throughout the course of an 18-year career, he helped the club win the World Cup in 1990 and holds the record for most caps. During his illustrious career, Matthaus represented some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. He has two periods at Bayern Munich, with a four-year stay at Inter Milan wedged in between. Matthaus was a key figure in the German club’s five league titles, as well as Inter Milan’s victory in the Italian league. Matthaus transitioned from midfielder to sweeper near the conclusion of his career and excelled in the role for a long period. He went on to manage various clubs as well as the Bulgarian and Hungarian national teams later in his career.
Childhood and Adolescence
Lothar Herbert Matthaus was born in Erlangen, West Germany, on March 21, 1961, to Heinz and Katharina Matthaus. His parents’ specific occupation is unknown. He showed an early enthusiasm in the game, as did most professional footballers who went on to play for their country, and he soon began to play for FC Herzogenaurach. Even though it was a minor club, it was here that he learned the subtleties of football. In 1979, he signed a contract with German first division club Borussia Monchengladbach at the age of 18 and began his professional football career. Two years before to his arrival, the team had won the German league title and presented an outstanding prospect.
Career of Lothar
During his time at Borussia Monchengladbach, he evolved as a game-controlling midfielder and became an important member of the club throughout the course of his five-year stint. However, after impressing Bayern Munich scouts in 1984, he joined Germany’s most famous club. He was selected for the German national team for the European Championship in 1980, but despite the national team’s victory, he did not play a significant role. Matthaus got to play two games at the World Cup in Spain two years later, and Germany finished as runners-up. During his four seasons at Bayern Munich, which began in 1984, he grew into one of the best midfielders in the world, and he helped the club win two German league titles. Bayern Munich reached the European Cup final as well, but were defeated by Porto in a closely contested match.
By the time the 1986 World Cup rolled around, he had established himself as a key member of the German national squad. He scored the game’s lone goal in the round of 16 and helped keep Diego Maradona quiet in the final, which Germany lost by a razor-thin margin. Matthaus captained the German team to the semi-finals of EUFA Euro 1988 two years later. Matthaus came to Inter Milan in 1988, and in his first season, he helped the team win the league title. He helped the club win the UEFA Cup two years later, and he scored 40 goals in 115 league matches over his four years with the club. He returned to Bayern Munich after his four-year stay at Inter Milan ended.
In the 1990 World Cup in Italy, he scored four goals to assist the German national side win their third World Cup after finishing second in the previous two editions. Due to injury, he was unable to compete in the European Championship two years later, but captained the squad in the ensuing World Cup in the United States. Matthaus switched positions to become a sweeper, but Germany barely advanced to the quarterfinals. Matthaus played a minor role at the World Cup in France, as the squad crashed out in the quarterfinals, eight years after winning the World Cup with Germany.
Matthaus’ second tenure with Bayern Munich began in 1992, and during his eight years there, he helped the team achieve three league titles, a UEFA Cup, and a UEFA Champions League runner-up finish. During his two stints with Bayern Munich, Matthaus scored 85 goals in 302 league games and is considered one of the club’s legends. He then played for the Metro Stars of Major League Soccer in the United States for a short time. Matthaus became the manager of SK Rapid Wien in September 2001 when his playing career ended, however he departed the position the following year. Matthaus took over at SK Partizan in the Serbian league after leaving SK Rapid Wien and led the club to not just the league title but also the UEFA Champions League. After a year, he left the club.
Matthaus took over as manager of the Hungarian national team in 2003, but resigned after failing to assist the team qualify for the World Cup in Germany. Matthaus became the manager of the Brazilian club Atletico Paranaense the same year after leaving the Hungary national team, but only for a short time. Shortly after, he took over as manager of Reb Bull Salzburg in the Austrian division, but he only stayed for a season despite helping them win the championship. Matthaus took over as manager of Maccabi Netanya in Israel in 2008, however he left after the club failed to mount a title bid. He became the Bulgarian national team’s manager two years later, but was fired a year later after the squad failed to qualify for the European Championships.
Achievements & Awards
Lothar Matthaus is one of the best players in Germany. However, his most significant contribution came during the 1990 World Cup, when he scored four goals to lead the national team to victory. In 1990, Lothar Matthaus was awarded the Ballon D’Or. He was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991. He played in five World Cups in a row, which is still a record. Furthermore, his total of 150 appearances for the German national team remains an all-time high.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1981, Lothar Matthaus married Silvia Matthaus, but the couple divorced 11 years later. They had two daughters together. Matthaus married Lolita Moreno, a Swiss model, in 1994. They had a son, but their marriage only lasted five years. On November 27, 2003, Matthaus married Marijina Kostic. Six years later, the couple split. Lothar Matthaus married Kristina Liliana Chudinova, a Ukrainian model, in 2008, however the couple divorced after two years. Lothar Matthaus married Anastasia Klimko for the fifth time, however the year of their marriage is uncertain. They have a son together.
Estimated Net Worth
Lothar is one of the wealthiest soccer players and one of the most popular. Lothar Matthaus’ net worth is estimated to be around $100 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.