As of: March 28, 2024, 5:00 a.m
By: Christoph Klaucke
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Karl-Heinz Schnellinger is one of the great heroes in German international history. The Italian by choice has finally finished with the DFB.
Frankfurt/Milan – “Schnellinger, of all people,” said the cult commentary by ARD reporter Ernst Huberty. In the semifinals of the 1970 World Cup, which would later go down in history as the game of the century, Germany saved itself in extra time against Italy with a 1-1 draw in added time. Goalscorer: Karl-Heinz-Schnellinger, who played for AC Milan at the time. Meanwhile, “Carlo il Biondo” (Carlo the Blonde), as he is known in Italy, has been forgotten in his German homeland. Schnellinger has finished with the DFB.
“They forgot me”: German World Cup hero finishes with DFB
“They have forgotten me,” Schnellinger told the German Press Agency. The ex-national player doesn't particularly speak well of the German Football Association (DFB).
“It goes haywire with them. “It’s just a big deal,” explained the four-time World Cup participant. The association recently made headlines with its purple and pink jerseys and the controversial change of supplier from Adidas to Nike.
Moderator Johannes B. Kerner in conversation with Karl Heinz Schnellinger and Franz Beckenbauer on the ZDF show “Our Best” in 2006. © Metodi Popow/Imago
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger does not want to travel to the 2024 European Championship
While national coach Julian Nagelsmann's team caused a touch of euphoria with the 2-0 win against France in the run-up to the 2024 European Championship in Germany, Schnellinger doesn't want to get excited about the European Championship. That's why the 84-year-old will be staying away from the tournament in the summer: “The last time I was there was a year or two ago. I hardly know anyone there anymore.”
Schnellinger will therefore “watch the European Championships in Germany on TV. Home.” So in Italy. The Rhineland native still lives near Milan. On Easter Sunday (March 31st) he celebrated his 85th birthday there: with his wife, three daughters, Italian sons-in-law and four grandchildren. “It always seems to me as if I’m a foreigner in Germany – and in Italy too,” said Schnellinger, a little bitterly. Recently there was also a stir about a reunion: the 1974 world champions declined an invitation from the DFB.
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“Schnellinger of all people”: German World Cup hero makes the game of the century possible
In the so-called game of the century in the Aztec Stadium on June 17, 1970 alongside Franz Beckenbauer, Schnellinger, who was already playing for AC Milan in the World Cup semi-final against Italy, scored 1-1 shortly before the end and saved Germany in extra time.
“The Italians will say Schnellinger of all people,” commented ARD reporter Ernst Huberty at the time. And in disbelief, he added: “Schnellinger, of all people.” In the end, the Italians won the semi-finals 4-3. In the final there was a 1:4 defeat against Brazil.
Karl-Heinz Schnellinger: Germany's footballer of the year and successes in Italy
Schnellinger, who became German champion with 1. FC Köln in 1962 and was named Germany's Footballer of the Year, celebrated great success in Italy. Between 1963 and 1974 he became Italian champion (1968) and cup winner four times with AS Roma and AC Milan. In 1968 and 1973 he won the European Cup Winners' Cup and in 1969 the European Cup and World Cup. Schnellinger played 47 international matches for Germany, including 17 at four World Cups.
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