“Fels in the surf”
Tears at world champion Bastian Schweinsteiger
06.10.2025 – 10:12 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Six personalities were included in the Hall of Fame of German Football. Bastian Schweinsteiger reacted emotionally.
Well -known names, moving words and great emotions: In the German Football Museum in Dortmund, six personalities have been included in the Hall of Fame of German Football. At the solemn ceremony, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Horst Hrubesch, Otto Rehhagel, Jupp Heynckes, Guido Buchwald and the late Bert Trautmann focus on Bert.
The decision was made by a jury of sports journalists. With the honor, outstanding achievements in German football are recognized – whether as a player or trainer. Overall, the fame hall now has 53 men and women.
Philipp Lahm, captain of the 2014 World Championship, honored his former teammate Bastian Schweinsteiger. He particularly remembered his use in the World Cup final against Argentina. Schweinsteiger was “the rock in the surf”, said Lahm. The World Cup in Brazil was not only for himself, but also for Schweinsteiger the crowning glory of the career, the 41-year-old said to today’s TV experts.
Schweinsteiger showed himself visibly moved and said to be in the Hall of Fame: “That means a lot to me.” “Schweini” also wiped out some tears.
Horst Hrubesch also accepted the award personally-and commented on it in his usual open nature. He had heard the word “legend” many times, the 74-year-old said, but in the past that legends were actually already dead. With a smile he added: “I’m actually doing quite well. I wanted to do a few years.”
Hrubesch was known as a “header monster” for active time and later also made a name for himself as a coach. Most recently, he won the bronze medal with the German national team at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Guido Buchwald, world champion from 1990, was also on site – just like Otto Rehhagel. The 87-year-old can look back on decades of coaching career. The highlight was the European Championship triumph in 2004 with Greece.
Jupp Heynckes won the triple with Bayern Munich in 2013 as the first German coach. He was “a cornerstone in this club for years,” said Bavaria’s honorary president Uli Hoeneß in a video message.
Bert Trautmann was posthumously included in the Hall of Fame. The goalkeeper from Bremen made a career in England – a former prisoner of war became a club icon at Manchester City. “It is a history of reconciliation,” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf in his laudation. Trautmann would have turned 101 last year.