Franz Bechenbauer (1965-1977, 103 caps, 14 goals)

Ordinarily, a player with Muller's goalscoring record would top this selection, but it goes to a man that mastered the sweeper position - Beckenbauer. Tactically aware and comfortable in possession, there are few that would argue against the 78-year-old being branded the best defender to have ever played the game. Having been a part of the German side that finished second and third at World Cups in 1966 and 1970 respectively, 'The Kaiser' finally got his hands on the trophy in 1974. Then, in 1990, he became only the second man to win the World Cup as both a player and manager when he guided the Germans to success in Italy. Like many Germans of that period, the majority of his success came with Bayern Munich, who won four Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals and three European Cups during his time with the club.