Karl-Heinz Schnellinger

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Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (born March 31, 1939 in Düren) is a former German footballer. He was one of the world's best defenders for a decade in the 1960s. He was nicknamed the "Volkswagen" for his continuity of performance, both in quantity and in quality.

Club career

He won the German championship with FC Köln in 1962, and was awarded the (German Footballer of the Year), performed superb in the World Cup and was subsequently named in the World Cup Dream-Team 11. His debut in the Serie A came in 1963, when Schnellinger left FC Köln for A.C. Mantova, He made his Serie A debut for a match against A.C. Milan ended in a surprising 4-1 victory of A.C. Mantova however he played there only for one season, and was signed by A.S. Roma in 1964 where he won the Coppa Italia, and finally by A.C. Milan in 1965. He played 9 seasons with the Rossoneri, obtaining several successes both at the national and European level. He was one of the first successful German footballers abroad.

International career

He participated in his first 1958 World Cup in Sweden at the young age of 19, and went on to become one of the few players to play in 4 World Cups (1958, 1962, 1966, 1970) where he made an impressive 47 appearances. He was renown for his physical power, pace, and his winning mentality. His only international goal came in the last minute to draw 1-1 in the thrilling semi-final of the 1970 World Cup against Italy which later became known as the "Game of the Century" Italy eventually won 4-3 after extra time.

Retirement

Schnellinger left A.C. Milan in 1974, and retired after a season back in his native Germany for Tennis Borussia Berlin

Personal life

Today Schnellinger still lives in Milan, and he works as businessman.

Honours

Club

FC Köln

• Bundesliga -
  • Winner: 1962

AS Roma

• Coppa Italia -
  • Winner: 1964

AC Milan

• Serie A -
  • Winner: 1968
• Coppa Italia -
  • Winner: 1967, 1972, 1973
• European Cup -
  • Winner: 1969
• Intercontinental Cup -
  • Winner: 1969
• European Cup Winners' Cup -
  • Winner: 1968, 1973

West Germany

• FIFA World Cup -
  • Runner-up: 1966
  • Third-place: 1970
  • Fourth-place: 1958

v • d • e West Germany squad – 1958 FIFA World Cup Fourth Place 1 Herkenrath • 2 Erhardt • 3 Juskowiak • 4 Eckel • 5 Wewers • 6 Szymaniak • 7 Stollenwerk • 8 Rahn • 9 Walter • 10 Schmidt • 11 Schäfer • 12 Seeler • 13 Klodt • 14 Cieslarczyk • 15 Kelbassa • 16 Sturm • 17 Schnellinger • 18 Hoffmann • 19 Peters • 20 Nuber • 21 Sawitzki • 22 Kwiatkowski • Coach: Herberger

v • d • e West Germany squad – 1962 FIFA World Cup 1 Tilkowski • 2 Erhardt • 3 Schnellinger • 4 Schulz • 5 Wilden • 6 Szymaniak • 7 Koslowski • 8 Haller • 9 Seeler • 10 Brülls • 11 Schäfer • 12 Nowak • 13 Kurbjuhn • 14 Werner • 15 Giesemann • 16 Sturm • 17 Kraus • 18 Herrmann • 19 Strehl • 20 Vollmar • 21 Sawitzki • 22 Fahrian • Coach: Herberger

v • d • e West Germany squad – 1966 FIFA World Cup Runners-up 1 Tilkowski • 2 Höttges • 3 Schnellinger • 4 Beckenbauer • 5 Schulz • 6 Weber • 7 Brülls • 8 Haller • 9 Seeler • 10 Held • 11 Emmerich • 12 Overath • 13 Hornig • 14 Lutz • 15 Patzke • 16 Lorenz • 17 Paul • 18 Sieloff • 19 Krämer • 20 Grabowski • 21 Bernard • 22 Maier • Coach: Schön

v • d • e West Germany squad – 1970 FIFA World Cup Third Place 1 Maier • 2 Höttges • 3 Schnellinger • 4 Beckenbauer • 5 Schulz • 6 Weber • 7 Vogts • 8 Haller • 9 Seeler • 10 Held • 11 Fichtel • 12 Overath • 13 Müller • 14 Libuda • 15 Patzke • 16 Lorenz • 17 Löhr • 18 Sieloff • 19 Dietrich • 20 Grabowski • 21 Manglitz • 22 Wolter • Coach: Schön