When we talk about the greatest Bundesliga teams in history, we simply can’t leave Borussia Dortmund out of the conversation. Founded in 1909, Die Borussen is among the most remarkable clubs in German soccer.
During its glorious existence, Borussia Dortmund have won the Bundesliga 8 times, while in 1997, they were crowned as Champions League winners for the first time. Five more times, Die Borussen has won the DFB Pokal.
Although it’s never easy to compete with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund built a powerhouse reputation in German soccer. In this article, we will look at 10 of the best Dortmund players of all time.
Who Are the Best Borussia Dortmund Players of All Time?
Matthias Sammer
Playing as a defensive midfielder or a sweeper, Matthias Sammer is one of the German players who won the Ballon d’Or during their career. Known for his aggression and winning spirit, Sammer wore the club’s colors between 1993 and 1998. He helped the club to win the Bundesliga twice, while in 1997, he triumphed in the Champions League.
One of the greatest Dortmund players of all time, Sammer was an example for his teammates because of his work ethic and ability to read the game. On an international level, Matthias’ peak moment was winning the European Championship in 1996. His brilliant performance in England allowed him to win the Ballon d’Or.
Andreas Möller
Another magnificent midfielder in Borussia Dortmund’s winning team during the 90s, Andreas Möller, was one of his generation’s best German attacking midfielders. Having won the Euro 96 with Germany alongside Matthias Sammer, Möller had remarkable playmaking abilities combined with great vision and passing proficiency. He also had an eye for the goal, having scored 170 goals as a midfielder.
Like Sammer, Andreas Möller was part of Borussia Dortmund’s legendary team that won the Champions League in 1997. He was chosen twice as German Footballer of the Year in 1990 and 1997. Between 1992 and 1994, he had a brief spell in Italy, where he played for Juventus. Now Andreas Möller is remembered as one of the best players from Borussia Dortmund.
Marco Reus
Since his move to Borussia Dortmund in 2012, Marco Reus slowly became a legendary figure for the club. He was a wanted man by numerous European giants from different countries but chose to be loyal to Dortmund before eventually becoming the club’s captain. An incredibly talented winger with an eye for the goal, Marco Reus could have been even better if so many injuries didn’t slow him down.
One of the reasons why Marco Reus loves Borussia so much is the fact that he was born in Dortmund. He spent 10 years in the club’s youth academy before moving to Rot Weiss Ahlen in 2006. His remarkable performances for Borussia M’gladbach convinced Dortmund to take him back into the club’s system.
As a player, Marco Reus shined with his versatile talents in the attack, technical skills, and intelligence. In 2012, he was voted the German Footballer of the Year, while a year later, he was picked in the UEFA Team of the Year.
Michael Zorc
Michael Zorc is one of the “one club men” in soccer history. Nicknamed “Susi” because of his long hair, he spent his entire career as a central midfielder for Borussia Dortmund between 1981 and 1998. He’s well-known among younger fans as he currently serves the role of Dortmund’s sporting director.
For many of the years he played for BVB, Michael Zorc served as the club’s captain. He was even second among the team’s all-time top goalscorers at some point because of his brilliant penalty-taking ability. Zorc was part of Borussia’s Champions League-winning team in 1997 and won the Bundesliga twice.
When he retired at 36, Michael Zorc became Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director. He showed his talents at the job by building a few great teams. Thanks to his work as a director, Dortmund won the league three times – in 2002, 2011, and 2012, while also reaching the Champions League final in 2013.
If you love German football, don’t miss to read: Top 10 Bayer Leverkusen Players of All Time
Manfred Burgsmüllers
Playing for Borussia Dortmund between 1976 and 1983, Manfred Burgsmüllers scored 158 goals in 252 matches for the club. A prolific striker who was deadly in the box, Burgsmüllers’ only regret is that he didn’t win a trophy with this marvelous club. He won the Bundesliga in 1988, but while playing for Werder Bremen.
One of the best players to play for Borussia Dortmund, Manfred Burgsmüllers is a name that younger fans must learn to know the club’s history better. Despite his abilities and stats, Manfred Burgsmüllers played just three times for West Germany’s national team.
Stefan Reuter
A versatile player who played as a center-back, defensive midfielder, and a right midfielder, Stefan Reuter is another name we can’t miss to mention among the best players to play for Borussia Dortmund. A key figure in the 1997 Champions League-winning team, Reuter was an influential player who wore the club’s colors between 1992 and 2004.
Reuter’s versatility, stamina, and mental prowess made him a colossal figure at the Signal Iduna Park. He was a reliable player who brought a lot of flexibility to the team’s tactics. Every team needs a player like Stefan Reuter.
Jürgen Kohler
Jürgen Kohler was one of the defenders no one would like to face on the pitch. One of the best German center-backs of his generation, Kohler played for Borussia Dortmund for seven seasons between 1995 and 2002. He was instrumental in winning the Champions League in 1997 and the Bundesliga titles in 1996 and 2002.
Jürgen Kohler was one of the defenders you can call a “tough guy.” He was merciless in the clashes with the opposition players, while his excellent positional sense allowed him to be in the right place at the right time. He also played over 100 matches for the German national team, winning the World Cup 1990 and the European Championship 1996. A decorated player with undisputed leadership qualities, Jürgen Kohler was one of the best German defenders in the 90s.
Robert Lewandowski
Despite playing just four seasons for Die Borussen before switching to the arch-enemy Bayern Munich, Robert Lewandowski remains one of the best strikers in Dortmund’s history. Who can forget the night he scored four goals in one match against Real Madrid in the Champions League? Lewandowski was a goal machine you can rarely see on the pitch. In 187 games for BVB, Lewandowski scored 103 goals for the club.
For Borussia Dortmund Lewandowski was deadly in the box – a striker who could score a goal from every angle of the penalty box. He flourished under Jürgen Klopp’s management, building a remarkable partnership with Mario Götze in the attack.
Alfred Preissler
Alfred “Adi” Preissler is the player who still holds the record for most goals scored with Borussia Dortmund’s jersey. Having two different stints at the club, Preissler finished his career with 177 goals for the team, which is an unbeaten achievement even today.
Adi Preissler is one of the Borussia Dortmund legends who managed to win back-to-back Bundesliga titles with the club. He did this in 1956 and 1957, leading Die Borussen to the gold medals in two consecutive seasons. Despite his incredible statistics as a goalscorer, Preissler has played just two times for West Germany.
Dedé
When the Brazilian left-back Dedé joined Borussia Dortmund in 1998, he probably didn’t expect to become one of the best players in this position in the club’s history. Spending 13 seasons of his career at Signal Iduna Park, Dedé made over 400 appearances for the club, winning the Bundesliga twice.
Quick, technical, and very dangerous in the opposition half, Dedé was a joy to watch for all the fans who love soccer. His overlapping runs were exciting, while his precise ball-crossing led to many goals.
A loyal man to Dortmund’s cause, the Brazilian left-back is now one of the most respected former players in Die Borussen’s history.
Honorable Mention: Stéphane Chapuisat
One of the greatest Swiss players of all time, Stéphane Chapuisat will be remembered as one of the best Borussia Dortmund players in the 90s. Playing for the club between 1991 and 1999, Chapuisat scored over 100 league goals for Die Borussen. He helped the team win the Bundesliga twice, winning the Champions League in 1997 as well. He also won the German Super Cup twice and triumphed with the International Cup in 1997.
Although he probably never won the reputation of a soccer superstar, Stéphane Chapuisat was a reliable striker who knew how to score goals regularly. In 2003, the UEFA Jubilee Awards chose him as the greatest Swiss player in the last 50 years.