Rummenigge: "I still play football with my grandchildren occasionally"
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge won the kicker Top Scorer Award three times as the Bundesliga's top scorer, along with many other honors. The long-time chairman of FC Bayern Munich talks about his most important goal, his toughest opponents, and his current relationship with amateur football.
A strong dribbler: Bayern striker Rummenigge (red) in a duel with Karlheinz Förster of VfB Stuttgart. imago sportfotodienst
Since 1969, kicker magazine has awarded the Top Scorer Award to the most successful Bundesliga striker of the season. In addition, since 2019, the "Top Scorer Award® for All" has been available for amateur players. In our interview series, legendary goalscorers talk about their careers. Today, it's Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's turn.
Which club did you start playing for?
I started at Borussia Lippstadt at the age of seven and went through all the youth teams there until I was 18.
Were you a goalscorer as a child?
Yes. Luckily, I always had a passion for goal-scoring, so I scored a lot as a child. I once scored 15 goals in a 30-0 victory.
Did you have a role model?
Johan Cruyff. His elegance, his speed, his ball control made him my favorite player. Later, Franz Beckenbauer became my role model because he also had tremendous qualities as a person.
What was your most important goal?
In the 1982 World Cup semifinal against France. With a 3-1 deficit, I was substituted on in extra time. Fortunately, my first touch of the ball resulted in a goal: Pierre Littbarski's half-height cross from the left flank was deflected into the net with the outside of my right foot. That turned the game around, and we reached the final via a penalty shootout.
We understood each other perfectly on the pitch.
Rummenigge about Paul Breitner
Who was your best teammate?
Paul Breitner. He put me in the spotlight in a way that best suited my talents. We got along perfectly on the pitch. We won the league in 1980 and 1981, and the cup in 1982. Unfortunately, we lost the 1982 European Cup final to Aston Villa 0-1.
Who was your toughest opponent?
On the one hand, Giuseppe Bergomi, who played with great composure even at a young age. On the other, Karlheinz Förster, because he was incredibly fast and could play with extreme concentration. Both played very hard, but also fairly.
Which opposing goalkeeper was the best?
I had the most respect for Dino Zoff. In the 1982 World Cup final, he was still guarding the Italian goal at the age of 40 and became world champion. It was incredible to me that a footballer of that age could play such a game, and do so well, no less.
What was your strength?
I actually had everything a striker needs: speed in my feet and mind, dribbling ability. My most influential and important coach, Dettmar Cramer, fully nurtured these skills by working tirelessly with me for two years.
What was your weakness?
Me and weakness? That doesn't exist. (laughs) I didn't enjoy defensive tasks at all. In the European Cup, you had to do them, but I didn't do them with much conviction—and probably not well either.
Who is the best goalscorer of all time?
Gerd Müller. He could create great things out of nothing. What fascinated me about him was that scoring goals was everything to him. After a 4-1 win without a Gerd Müller goal, he sat furiously in the locker room.
I have been a member ever since I moved to Munich in 1974.
Rummenigge about SV Lippstadt
Which amateur club are you still affiliated with?
Borussia Lippstadt, now SV Lippstadt. The first team plays in the Oberliga Westfalen. I've been a member ever since I moved to Munich in 1974.
Do you still kick occasionally?
Yes, with my grandchildren. During the coronavirus pandemic, I trained intensively with them; we set up goals in the garden. However, I can still feel the effects of my 15 years as a professional in my knee and back.
Where do your three kicker top scorers rank?
At the FC Bayern Museum in the Allianz Arena. It was presented to me by then-kicker editor-in-chief Karl-Heinz Heimann.
Karlheinz Wild, Interview: Karlheinz Wild
- Born on 25 September 1955 in Lippstadt
- Clubs: FC Bayern Munich (1974-84), Inter Milan (1984-87), Servette Geneva (1987-89)
- Achievements: 310 Bundesliga matches (162 goals)
- 95 international matches (45 goals)
- European Champion 1980
- 2 x European Cup
- 1 x World Cup winner
- 2 x German Champion
- 2 x DFB Cup winner
- 2 x European Footballer of the Year
- 3 x Bundesliga top scorer
