Oliver Kahn

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Kahn was initially called up as a late back-up for the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as third keeper behind Bodo Illgner and Andreas Köpke. He was an unused member of the squad that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship in England, serving as reserve keeper behind starter Köpke. Kahn spent the 1998 FIFA World Cup on the bench, and it was not until Köpke retired after that tournament that Kahn became the starting goalkeeper. Two years after UEFA Euro 2000, in which defending champions Germany made an embarrassing group-stage exit, Kahn received the squad's captaincy. He experienced one of his worst performances against England in Munich in 2001, a 5–1 rout that included a hat-trick by Michael Owen, but Germany still qualified for the World Cup after winning a playoff against Ukraine. Kahn maintained his number one spot for UEFA Euro 2004, but Germany were again eliminated in the group stage. He gave up his captaincy to Michael Ballack after that tournament. Under new manager Jürgen Klinsmann, the number one spot was rotated between Kahn and Jens Lehmann; on 7 April 2006, Klinsmann announced Lehmann as first-choice for the 2006 World Cup, and Kahn decided to stay on as a backup.

In Their Own Story

At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Germany were not among the tournament favourites, but Kahn's prowess in goal was key to reaching the final. He conceded only three goals in the entire competition, two of which were in the final. Playing the final match with torn ligaments in his right ring finger, Kahn conceded the first goal by fumbling a rebounded shot from Rivaldo to the feet of striker Ronaldo in the 67th minute. Once the game ended with Brazil as champion, he stood alone and disappointed in his goal, but refused to blame his injury for his mistake. The FIFA Technical Study Group awarded him the Lev Yashin Award for best goalkeeper and the Golden Ball for best individual performance, making him the only goalkeeper in World Cup history to win the Golden Ball. He also became the first German goalkeeper to keep five clean sheets in a World Cup tournament.

Reader's Guide

Oliver Kahn's most significant individual honor came at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he won the Golden Ball as player of the tournament, the only goalkeeper in World Cup history to do so. He also received the Lev Yashin Award as best goalkeeper of the tournament. Kahn was part of the Germany squad that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship, though he was an unused member. He earned his first international cap on 23 June 1995 in a 2–1 victory against Switzerland. From 1994 to 2006, Kahn was in the Germany national team, serving as starter after Andreas Köpke's retirement and as captain after UEFA Euro 2000. He gave up the captaincy to Michael Ballack after UEFA Euro 2004. Under Jürgen Klinsmann, Kahn competed with Jens Lehmann for the number one spot; Lehmann was named first-choice for the 2006 World Cup, with Kahn staying on as backup.

Did You Know?

• Kahn is the only goalkeeper in World Cup history to win the Golden Ball, awarded at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• He played the 2002 World Cup final with torn ligaments in his right ring finger.
• Kahn made his first international appearance on 23 June 1995 in a 2–1 victory against Switzerland.
• He was an unused member of the Germany squad that won the 1996 UEFA European Championship.
• Kahn gave up the Germany captaincy to Michael Ballack after UEFA Euro 2004.