Football
Greatest German Footballers: Müller, Klose, Klinsmann Ranked
The German national football team is one of the most successful in history, four-time World Cup champions, revered for its consistency, discipline and ability to consistently rise to the top. But beyond the trophies and tactical precision, Germany has built a profile of very similar players, world-class strikers, all with the same goal-scoring instinct. From World Cup Golden Boots to unforgettable decisive moments, Germany's top scorers have come in different forms, players. In this comparison, we highlight five of Germany's most iconic goal-scoring machines: Miroslav Klose, Gerd Müller, Jürgen Klinsmann, Rudi Völler and Lukas Podolski. Each has left their mark on international football, and each has had a huge responsibility on their shoulders.
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SB Market Index: How We Evaluate Germany's Greatest Footballers
This evaluation combines a statistical analysis of their international goalscoring careers with expert and media perception to provide a comprehensive ranking.
Industry Insights
A curated analysis from top 10 football and sports media sources measures how prominently each player is featured in discussions of the greatest German footballers of all time.
| Source Name | Miroslav Klose | Gerd Müller | Lukas Podolski | Rudi Völler | Jürgen Klinsmann |
| SportsUnlimitedNews | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| FourFourTwo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| FutbolRetro | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SI.com | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lingoda | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bundesliga Legends Network | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| SportPundit | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| AzScore | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| BlitzBundes | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Wikipedia | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Mentions | 7 | 9 | 3 | 9 | 9 |
SB Score
| Player | Goals | Caps | Ratio (GPG) | SB Score |
| Gerd Müller | 68 | 62 | 1.10 | 1.000 |
| Miroslav Klose | 71 | 137 | 0.52 | 0.806 |
| Rudi Völler | 47 | 90 | 0.52 | 0.675 |
| Jürgen Klinsmann | 47 | 108 | 0.44 | 0.654 |
| Lukas Podolski | 49 | 130 | 0.38 | 0.627 |
This score is calculated based on three key international career metrics: Goals Per Game (50% weightage), Total Goals (30% weightage), and Total Caps (20% weightage). The raw stats are used to calculate the final SB Score.
SB Market Index
| Rank | Player | SB Score | Industry Insights | SB Market Index |
| 1 | Gerd Müller | 1.000 | 9 | 7.400 |
| 2 | Rudi Völler | 0.675 | 9 | 7.335 |
| 3 | Jürgen Klinsmann | 0.654 | 9 | 7.331 |
| 4 | Miroslav Klose | 0.806 | 7 | 5.761 |
| 5 | Lukas Podolski | 0.627 | 3 | 2.525 |
Gerd Müller: "Der Bomber" Reigns Supreme
When it comes to goalscoring, no German striker has ever done it quite as well as Gerd Müller. Nicknamed “Der Bomber”, Müller tops our SB Market Index with a perfect SB score of 1,000, thanks to his astonishing goals-per-game ratio of 1.10, 68 goals in just 62 appearances. In international football, where chances are rare and defences are tighter, these figures are simply surreal.
Müller delivered in the most important moments, including the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final, and he also received the Golden Boot in 1970. His nine Industry Insights mentions, tied for the most, show that he was outstanding in this regard.
Müller was a cold-blooded finisher, a master in the box and the undisputed gold standard for all German strikers who followed him.
The World Cup Winners: Völler and Klinsmann
Rudi Völler and Jürgen Klinsmann don't top the list, but their joint highest Industry Insights scores (9 each) speak for themselves in terms of their influence and impact on German football. Both are just behind Gerd Müller in our SB Market Index, which shows how much they have helped the German national team over the years.
Völler, with 47 goals in 90 caps, was a constant threat in the box, known for his combative style and ability to rise to the occasion. He played a key role in Germany's triumph at the 1990 World Cup.
The slightly more polished but equally dangerous Klinsmann scored the same number of goals in more appearances (47 in 108). He was instrumental in Germany's victory at Euro '96 and has also distinguished himself at several World Cups with his characteristic determination and flair.
Miroslav Klose: The Record Holder
Miroslav Klose holds two titles that most strikers would give anything for: Germany’s all-time leading scorer (71 goals) and the record holder for most goals in World Cup history (16). His longevity and consistency on the biggest stage of football are undeniable, earning him a strong SB score of 0.806, the second highest in our model.
What prevents Klose from ranking higher in the final SB Market index, however, is his lower Industry Insights score (7) compared to the perfect 9s achieved by Müller, Völler and Klinsmann. It’s a curious contrast. While Klose’s numbers are unmatched, his perception by the public and media tends to be quieter and more subtle, perhaps due to his reserved personality and team-first style.
At the same time, Klose's ability to deliver in four World Cups, his aerial prowess and sense of timing have made him a lethal finisher and a model of consistency. He may not have always been in the spotlight, but his numbers speak louder than most of his career could ever.
Conclusion on Germany's Goalscoring Legends
In conclusion, Gerd Müller sits alone at the top of our SB Market Index, a position earned by his unparalleled goal-scoring efficiency, an astonishing 1.10 goals per game and a near-unanimous expert consensus, reflected in his top score in Industry Insights. “Der Bomber” was prolific, but he was also influential.
He is closely followed by Rudi Völler and Jürgen Klinsmann, who rank first due to their goal tally, success in major tournaments and influence. Miroslav Klose, despite holding the all-time goalscoring records for both Germany and the World Cup, comes in slightly lower in terms of perception-based values, but his achievements remain monumental. And Lukas Podolski, while more modest in statistics and ratings, has nevertheless built an impressive international career.
With a strong background in journalism and years of experience in sports commentary, Dragoș Șoneriu has written about every aspect of sport, from match reports and features to tactical analyses and investigative pieces. A lifelong Arsenal fan, he dreams of seeing his beloved team lift the Premier League trophy. Outside of work, Dragoș collects anything football-related, from stickers and mugs to vintage shirts and scarves.