Paul Breitner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paul Breitner

Breitner in 2011
Personal information
Date of birth	(1951-09-05) 5 September 1951 (age 73)
Place of birth	Kolbermoor, Bavaria, West Germany
Height	1.76 m
Playing position	Left-back, midfielder
Youth career
1957–1961	SV-DJK Kolbermoor
1961–1970	ESV Freilassing
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1970–1974	Bayern Munich	109	(17)
1974–1977	Real Madrid	84	(10)
1977–1978	Eintracht Braunschweig	30	(10)
1978–1983	Bayern Munich	146	(66)
Total		369	(103)
National team
1968–1970	West Germany Youth	16	(1)
1971	West Germany U-23	1	(0)
1971–1982	West Germany	48	(10)
Honours Men's football Representing  West Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 1974 West Germany Runner-up 1982 Spain UEFA European Championship Winner 1972 Belgium
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Paul Breitner (born 5 September 1951) is a famous German former footballer. He played as a midfielder and a left-back. Many people think he is one of the best players ever in these positions.

Breitner was part of the FIFA World Cup All-Time Team. In 2004, he was named one of the Top 125 greatest living footballers. This was part of FIFA's 100th birthday celebration.

He played 48 games for the West Germany national team. He was a key player when they won the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He even scored a goal in the final game.

Paul Breitner also scored in the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. This makes him one of only five players to score in two different World Cup finals. The others are Pelé, Vavá, Zinedine Zidane, and Kylian Mbappé.

He was well-known for working well with other players. In defense for the national team, he teamed up with Franz Beckenbauer, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, and Berti Vogts. At Bayern Munich, he and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge were a great midfield pair.

After he stopped playing, Breitner became a commentator and writer in Germany. He also advises the Bayern Munich management team.

Playing Career Highlights

Paul Breitner played football from 1970 to 1983. He spent most of his career with Bayern Munich (1970–74 and 1978–83) and Real Madrid (1974–77). He also played one season for Eintracht Braunschweig.

When he started, he was a "free roaming left-back." This means he could play defense but also move forward to score goals. Later in his career, he moved to midfield. He became one of the best midfielders in the early 1980s.

Winning Championships

Breitner had great success early on. In 1972, at age 21, he helped Germany win the European Championship. Two years later, he won the 1974 FIFA World Cup. The final was in Munich against the Netherlands. Breitner scored Germany's first goal from a penalty kick.

In that final, he, Franz Beckenbauer, Hans-Georg Schwarzenbeck, and Berti Vogts were a very strong defense. They stopped the Dutch team from getting many chances to score.

After the World Cup, he moved to Real Madrid. He left the West German squad for a while. He returned in 1981 when Jupp Derwall convinced him.

As mentioned, Breitner is one of only five players to score in two different World Cup finals. He did this in 1974 against the Netherlands and in 1982 against Italy.

Breitner (left) playing for Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final

During his time with clubs, Breitner won many titles. He won seven National Championships with Bayern Munich (1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1981) and Real Madrid (1975, 1976). He also won the Champions' Cup (1974). Plus, he won the German Cup (1971, 1982) and the Spanish Cup (1975).

At Bayern Munich, he and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge were so good together that fans called them Breitnigge.

Off the Pitch and Public Image

Outside of football, Paul Breitner was known for his strong opinions. He was sometimes called "revolutionary" because he spoke out on social issues. This was especially true when Germany was divided by the Berlin Wall. He was even seen with a copy of Mao Zedong's "Little Red Book" at training.

However, after 1974, Breitner changed his views. He wanted to play for Real Madrid, even though some players avoided clubs linked to General Franco. Breitner signed with Real Madrid in 1974. He then became known for spending a lot on houses and cars. He also appeared in commercials.

Before the 1982 World Cup, he caused a stir in West Germany. A cosmetics company offered him a large sum of money to shave his beard and advertise their aftershave. Many Germans thought the amount was "scandalously high." In earlier years, his long hair was also seen as a sign of rebellion.

Breitner explained that he was wrongly called a Maoist. He said he had the book because he was talking to a journalist about communism. He stated, "When the bad things became known, I had nothing to regret because I never said I was a Maoist." He returned to West Germany after his time in Madrid and stopped playing in 1983.

Life After Football

In 1998, Paul Breitner was announced as the new manager for the national team. This was by the president of the DFB, Egidius Braun. But after other officials spoke up, Braun changed his mind just 17 hours later. This made Breitner famous as the "17-hour coach."

Today, Breitner mostly works as a TV expert and writes for newspapers. In 2007, he started working with Bayern Munich again. He advises them on different topics. He also sometimes plays for the Bayern All-Stars in charity games. He has been the captain of the team many times.

Achievements and Awards

Paul Breitner won many important titles and awards during his career:

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74, 1979–80, 1980–81
• DFB-Pokal: 1970–71, 1981–82
• European Cup: 1973–74; runner-up: 1981–82

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 1974–75, 1975–76
• Copa del Rey: 1974–75

West Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 1974; runner-up: 1982
• UEFA European Championship: 1972

Individual Awards

• kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1971–72, 1972–73, 1978–79, 1979–80, 1980–81, 1981–82, 1982–83
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1972
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1974
• FUWO European Team of the Season: 1972
• World XI: 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976
• Sport Ideal European XI: 1972, 1974, 1979
• Footballer of the Year (Germany): 1981
• Ballon d'Or runner-up: 1981
• Onze d'Argent: 1981
• FIFA World Cup All-Time Team
• FIFA 100
• Bayern Munich All-time XI
• Ballon d'Or Dream Team (bronze): 2020

See also

In Spanish: Paul Breitner para niños