Lothar Matthäus participant in UEFA Euro 1988
International career
Matthäus was first called up to the West Germany national squad in 1980, that won the UEFA Euro 1980 in Italy, making his international debut at the tournament in a game against the Netherlands. He also played two games at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain; he was brought on as a substitute in group stage games against Chile and the infamous Disgrace of Gijón game versus Austria. West Germany reached the final, losing to Italy at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid 3–1.
By now, he also had a regular place in the national team for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, scoring the winner in the round of 16 against Morocco. In the final at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, despite his considerable play-making ability, he was assigned by coach Franz Beckenbauer to mark Argentina's Diego Maradona. Maradona did not score in the final, but his pass to Jorge Burruchaga with six minutes left in regulation time set up the winning goal for Argentina, and West Germany lost their second consecutive World Cup final, this time 3–2.
At UEFA Euro 1988 in West Germany, Matthäus captained the team and scored a penalty against the Netherlands (the eventual winners) in the semi-final to give his team a 1–0 lead, but Ronald Koeman leveled the score with a penalty, and then Marco van Basten slid in the winning goal in the final minutes.Ballon d'Or: 1990
IFFHS World's Best Player: 1990
World Soccer Awards Player of the Year: 1990
FIFA World Player of the Year: 1991
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball: 1990
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1990
UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1988
Onze d'Or: 1990
Onze de bronze: 1991
Footballer of the Year (Germany): 1990, 1999
Goal of the Year (Germany): 1990, 1992
kicker Bundesliga Team of the Season: 1982–83, 1984–85, 1987–88, 1992–93, 1993–94
Pirata d'Oro (Inter Milan Player of the Year): 1991
FIFA XI: 1996, 1997, 2001
FIFA 100
Golden Foot legends award: 2012
IFFHS Legends
Inter Milan Hall of Fame: 2018
Bayern Munich All-time XI
Ballon d'Or Dream Team: 2020
IFFHS All-time Men's B Dream Team: 2021
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