The greatest of German football! 

Borussia Dortmund have won eight league championships, five DFB-Pokals, one UEFA Champions League, one Intercontinental Cup, and one UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. Founded in 1909 by eighteen football players from Dortmund, the team is part of a large sports club with over 145,000 members, making it the third-largest sports club in Germany. Borussia Dortmund’s colours are black and yellow, giving them the nickname Die Schwarzgelben. The club has been home to many greats, including one who helped Manchester City win their maiden UEFA Champions League. Here, we look at the top 5 greatest Borussia Dortmund players of all time.

Matthias Sammer

Matthias Sammer, a former player and coach, had a distinguished career with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, VfB Stuttgart, and Dynamo Dresden. During his golden years at Borussia Dortmund, Sammer won the Bundesliga and DFL-Supercup in 1995, the Bundesliga, DFL-Supercup, and European Footballer of the Year in 1996, and the UEFA Champions League and Intercontinental Cup in 1997. After retiring in 2000, Sammer returned to Dortmund as a manager in 2002, leading the team to a Bundesliga title in the same year. His contributions as both player and coach have cemented his legacy at the club.

Marco Reus

Dortmund-born Marco Reus joined the BVB youth system at age seven. After spells at Rot Weiss Ahlen and Monchengladbach, he returned to Dortmund in 2012. Known for his versatility, speed, technical skills, and vision, Reus is also prone to injury. He has won the German Supercup three times, the German Cup, Bundesliga Player of the Year twice, and was inducted into the UEFA Team of the Year. Reus's journey with Dortmund ended in the 2023-24 UCL final defeat to Real Madrid, with a potential move to the LA Galaxy.

Jürgen Kohler

Regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, Jürgen Kohler was a complete and physically strong centre-back. Known for his defensive perception, anticipation, quick reactions, and marking, Kohler also possessed excellent tactical sense. His height, timing, heading accuracy, and elevation made him a formidable presence in the air and a goal threat during set-pieces. Joining Dortmund in the later stages of his career, Kohler spent seven years with the club, winning two Bundesliga titles, the Champions League, the Intercontinental Cup, and two German Super Cups. His contributions confirmed his legacy as a Dortmund and football legend.

Alfred Preissler

Borussia Dortmund’s all-time top scorer, he netted 168 goals in the yellow jersey. After joining the club at the end of the 1940s, he became a key figure and captain for many years. His leadership and striking power were pivotal in Dortmund’s first championship win in 1956. The victory was celebrated in grand fashion, with 250,000 fans reportedly lining the streets of Dortmund to welcome the team back to the city. His remarkable contributions to the club have etched his name into Dortmund’s storied history, making him a legendary figure in the club’s legacy.

Karl-Heinz Riedle

Karl-Heinz Riedle, nicknamed “Air” for his heading accuracy and aerial skills, made a vital contribution to Borussia Dortmund with his two goals in the 1997 UEFA Champions League final, leading Dortmund to a 3-1 victory over Juventus. He finished his 18-year career in England, playing for Liverpool and Fulham before retiring in 2001. Riedle’s aerial skills and key performances have left a lasting impact on Dortmund’s history.

Michael Zorc, Roman Weidenfeller, Stefan Reuter, Robert Lewandowski, and Lars Ricken are also worth mentioning on this list.