Rudi Völler

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Völler made his senior debut for West Germany in a UEFA Euro 1984 qualifier against Northern Ireland and scored his first goal in the following qualifier against Albania. At the 1986 World Cup, he scored the equalizer against Scotland, an 89th-minute winner against France in the semi-final, and a goal in the final against Argentina to make it 2-2, though Germany lost 3-2. He became the third player to score as a substitute in a World Cup final. At Euro 1988, he scored twice in a 2-0 win over Spain. At the 1990 World Cup, he scored three times, including a goal against Yugoslavia and two against the United Arab Emirates. In the second round against the Netherlands, he was sent off alongside Frank Rijkaard after the Dutchman spat on Völler twice. Völler started the final against Argentina, which West Germany won 1-0. At Euro 1992, he was sent home after an injury in the opening game. At the 1994 World Cup, he made one substitute appearance in the group stage and started the second round match against Belgium, scoring twice in a 3-2 win. His final appearance was a 2-1 quarter-final loss to Bulgaria on 10 July 1994.

In Their Own Story

The 1990 World Cup second-round match against the Netherlands was marred by an unsavoury incident. Dutch player Frank Rijkaard was booked for a bad tackle on Völler. As Rijkaard took position for the free kick, he spat in Völler's hair. Völler complained to the referee and was booked as well. From the resulting free kick, a furious Völler jumped up and punched the ball with his hand, then dived to avoid a collision with the Dutch goalkeeper. Rijkaard confronted Völler again, twisting his ear and stamping on his foot. Argentine referee Juan Carlos Loustau sent both players off. Rijkaard then again spat in Völler's hair as they left the pitch. Rijkaard later stated, 'That day I was wrong. There was no insult. I always had much respect for Rudi Völler. But I went berserk when I saw that red card. I talked to him after the match and I apologized. I'm very happy that he accepted.'

Reader's Guide

Völler was capped 90 times for Germany, scoring 47 goals, including eight in World Cup final rounds. He represented West Germany at the 1982 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he was named the tournament's Golden Player, scoring four goals in three appearances as Germany finished runner-up to England. At the 1986 World Cup, he scored in the group stage against Scotland, the semi-final against France, and the final against Argentina. At the 1990 World Cup, he scored against Yugoslavia and twice against the United Arab Emirates in the group stage, then started the final as Germany won 1-0. At the 1994 World Cup, he scored twice in a 3-2 win over Belgium in the second round. After retiring, Völler became manager of the Germany national team, leading them to the 2002 World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil. He resigned after a group-stage exit at Euro 2004.

Did You Know?

• Völler was nicknamed 'Tante Käthe' ('Aunt Kathy') by Thomas Berthold due to his permed hairstyle.
• He was the top scorer of the 2. Bundesliga in 1981–82 and the Bundesliga in 1982–83.
• Völler scored in two consecutive World Cup finals (1986 and 1990), both against Argentina.
• He is one of four people (with Mário Zagallo, Franz Beckenbauer, and Didier Deschamps) to reach a World Cup final as both a player and a manager.
• Völler was sent off alongside Frank Rijkaard in the 1990 World Cup second round after Rijkaard spat on him twice.