Germany’s World Cup icon Karl-Heinz Schnellinger aka ‘The Volkswagen’ dies at 85
German World Cup icon Karl-Heinz Schnellinger has died aged 85.
Schnellinger passed away on Monday after a long battle with illness while at Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital. The defender spent nine years of his playing career with AC Milan – where he then relocated after retiring.
The German, who was nicknamed ‘Volkswagen’ thanks to his reliability, is best known for his performances for the West German national side. Schnellinger was part of the 1958 World Cup squad, and he would go onto play at four World Cups.
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The last two he turned out for are the most famous. He was part of the West German side that lost to England at the 1966 World Cup – but four years later he would have his crowning moment.
During the 1970 World Cup, Italy and West Germany played out the ‘Game of the Century’ during the semi-finals. Schnellinger netted his only international goal in the clash, firing the West German’s level in the final minute to send the game to extra-time.
(Image: Mirrorpix)
German television commentator Ernst Huberty famously exclaimed: “Schnellinger! Ausgerechnet Schnellinger,” which roughly translates to Schnellinger of all people.
The goal had come from a man who had never scored for West Germany, nor would he again, and one of the two players in the squad who played their football in Italy. The game would explode into life in extra-time – but even a brace from Gerd Muller wasn’t enough to send the Germans to the final.
Italy would lose to a Pele-inspired Brazil in the final.
“One of the most underrated players in our history. RIP, Karl-Heinz Schnellinger,” one fan said on social media. While a second shared: “Without him Italy-Germany 4-3 would never have happened. Danke, Karl!”
“I once read he admitted he was only at that end of the pitch because he’d started making his way towards the tunnel,” a third said when speaking about his famous goal. And another added: “Another figurine from my childhood that is gone. Goodbye to Karl-Heinz Schnellinger.”
