Early Life And Career

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger: A Legendary German Defender

Early Life and Career

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger was born on March 31, 1939, in Saarbrücken, Germany. He began his professional football career in 1956 with his hometown club, 1. FC Saarbrücken. Schnellinger quickly established himself as a top defender, earning a call-up to the West German national team in 1958.

International Career

Club Career

After the 1958 World Cup, Schnellinger moved to Italy, where he played for AC Milan from 1958 to 1965. He was an integral part of the Milan team that won the European Cup in 1963, and he was named to the European Team of the Season in 1964.

Schnellinger returned to Germany in 1965, signing for Bayern Munich. He won the Bundesliga championship with Bayern in 1969 and 1972, as well as the European Cup in 1974.

World Cup Success

Schnellinger represented West Germany in four World Cups: 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1970. He played a key role in West Germany's victory in the 1974 World Cup, starting in all seven matches.

Legacy

Karl-Heinz Schnellinger is regarded as one of the greatest German defenders of all time. He was known for his strength, tackling ability, and leadership. Schnellinger's contributions to German football were recognized with his induction into the German Football Hall of Fame in 1991.