Wolfgang Overath facts for kids
Overath after winning the 1974 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 29 September 1943 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Siegburg, Germany | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1953–1962 | Siegburger SV 04 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1962–1977 | 1. FC Köln | 409 | (83) | |||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1963–1974 | West Germany | 81 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Wolfgang Overath, born on September 29, 1943, is a famous former football player from West Germany. He was a "one-club man," which means he played his whole professional career for just one team: 1. FC Köln. Wolfgang Overath played for his country in three World Cup tournaments. His biggest success was winning the World Cup in 1974, when West Germany beat the Netherlands 2-1 at home. He mainly played as an attacking midfielder. People knew him for his amazing passing, great skills, and powerful left foot.
Contents
Overath's Football Journey
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Wolfgang Overath started playing football at a club called SSV Siegburg. But he spent most of his career, from 1962 to 1977, with 1. FC Köln. He played 765 games for them and scored 287 goals.
In 1964, he helped 1. FC Köln win the very first Bundesliga title. The Bundesliga is Germany's top football league. He also won the German Cup with his team in 1968. He played 71 matches in European club competitions for 1. FC Köln. He still holds the record for the most official games played for the club, with 549 matches.
Playing for West Germany
Overath played 81 games for the West German national team between 1963 and 1974, scoring 17 goals. He was a key player in the midfield when West Germany won the World Cup in 1974. He also helped his country reach the final in the 1966 World Cup and finish third in the 1970 World Cup. In the 1970 third-place match, Overath scored the only goal. Many journalists from other countries thought he was Germany's best player in that tournament.
Wolfgang Overath is one of only seven players in history to have World Cup medals for first, second, and third place. Other famous players with this achievement include Franz Beckenbauer and Sepp Maier.
Rivalry and Leadership
Overath had a friendly rivalry with another talented midfielder, Günter Netzer, who played for Borussia Mönchengladbach. Netzer was named German Player of the Year in 1972 and 1973. However, the German coach, Helmut Schön, often preferred Overath because he was seen as a more steady player.
An injury kept Overath out of the European Championships in 1972. Netzer then stepped up and helped Germany win the tournament. But Overath soon got his place back in the team. Netzer himself once said that Overath "was born to play for Germany."
After Playing Football
In 2004, Wolfgang Overath was chosen to be the President of 1. FC Köln. He held this position until he resigned on November 13, 2011.
Overath's Playing Style
Wolfgang Overath was a very skilled playmaker, similar to his friend and rival, Günter Netzer. Many people consider Overath to be one of Germany's best players ever and one of the greatest midfielders of his time. He was known for being an attacking midfielder with excellent technique, great passing skills, and a powerful shot. Even though he was an attacking player, he also worked hard to help defend.
Personal Life
Wolfgang Overath has been married to his wife, Karin, for 57 years. They have three children: two sons and one adopted daughter. In 2003, he was made an honorary citizen of Siegburg, his hometown. Overath also received the Egidius-Braun-Preis for his charity work. He is a very religious Roman Catholic and prays every day.
Honours
Club Achievements
Köln
- Bundesliga: 1963–64
- German Cup: 1968, 1977
International Achievements
Germany
- FIFA World Cup:
- Winner: 1974
- Second place: 1966
- Third place: 1970
Individual Awards
- kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1965–66, 1967–68, 1969–70, 1973–74
- FIFA XI: 1968
- FUWO European Team of the Season: 1970
- DFB-Pokal top scorer: 1971–72
- FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1974
Images for kids
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Overath (right) in 1992
See also
In Spanish: Wolfgang Overath para niños
