Paul Breitner is a German former professional footballer who played as a midfielder and left-back.
17 Facts About Paul Breitner
2.
Paul Breitner was capped 48 times for West Germany and was an integral part of the team that won the 1974 FIFA World Cup, scoring in the final.
3.
Paul Breitner scored in the final of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, making him one of only five players to have scored in two different World Cup final matches, the others being Pele, Vava, Zinedine Zidane and Kylian Mbappe.
4.
Paul Breitner was known for his partnerships with Franz Beckenbauer and Berti Vogts in defence for the national team, and his midfield combination with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for Bayern Munich.
5.
Paul Breitner has been working as a commentator, pundit and columnist in Germany since retiring and is an advisor to the Bayern management board.
6.
The final was played in Munich against the Netherlands, and Paul Breitner scored the first German goal on a penalty kick.
7.
Paul Breitner moved to Real Madrid following the World Cup and withdrew from the West German squad, remaining off the side until enticed to return by Jupp Derwall in 1981.
8.
Paul Breitner is one of only five footballers to have achieved the feat of scoring in two different World Cup final matches, sharing that honour with Pele, Vava, Zinedine Zidane, and Kylian Mbappe.
9.
Paul Breitner achieved this in 1974 against the Netherlands and in 1982 against Italy.
10.
Outside the pitch, Paul Breitner self identified as part of the 68ers.
11.
Paul Breitner was often decried by the more traditional or conservative football fans for his radicalism and "revolutionary" attitude, as well as his tendency for voicing strong opinions on major political and social issues, especially during a time when Germany was still divided by the Berlin Wall.
12.
Paul Breitner was seen bringing Mao Zedong's "Little Red Book" to training.
13.
However, after 1974, Paul Breitner abruptly brushed aside his leftist leanings.
14.
Paul Breitner boycotted the 1978 FIFA World Cup being hosted by the Argentine military, the only player to do so.
15.
Paul Breitner had previously infuriated many fans with his move to Spanish club giants Real Madrid.
16.
Paul Breitner returned to Germany after the successful spell in Madrid and retired as a player in 1983.
17.
In 1998, Paul Breitner was announced as the new national team manager by DFB president Egidius Braun.