When you mention feared German strikers, the next player to come out of anyone's mouth after Gerd Müller would have to be Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. During the early part of the 1980's Rummenigge was one of the best players in the world. He was being spoken in the breath as players like Rossi, Platini, Zico, Falcão, and Maradona.

His uncanny combination of pace and power, goalscoring ability and passing precision, and an atypical unselfishness in scoring opportunities made him one of the most dangerous and exciting players to have ever played in the World Cup. Just ask Mexico.

The great German forward was born in Lippstadt, Germany on September 25th, 1955. After developing into one of the young bright stars in a regional amateur, Bayern Munich saw him blossom into best German player of his generation. Although his rise tot he top would not be of the meteoric type, there would be one coach him take that great leap forward.

The Csernai years
When he arrived to Bayern, Pal Csernai saw that the young Rummenigge was rarely being used as a scorer. The Bavarian giants were using the youngster's dribbling skills. Csernai took advantage of this and placed Rummenigge as an natural striker and the goal began to pour in.

By the 1979-80 season, Rummenigge was the league's leading scorer and one of the most feared offensive threats in world football. That 1980 season would be the most magical season for the young man from Westphalia. He would lead the Bundesliga in scoring yet again and would lead West Germany to their second European Cup in 1980.

Alongside Paul Breitner, Bayern Munich became the most dominant team in Germany and a perennial contender in international play.

His form during the season earned him all individual honors available. He was being considered as the best footballer in the world behind Diego Maradona.

For the German superstar, this was his most brilliant phase of his career. He would leave the club as one of the most successful players to have played for the German side having won two league titles and two German cups in addition to the 1980 European title.

Inter move

Rummenigge made a record move to Inter in 1984. He was looked upon as the final piece of the puzzle that would be able to end the domination of La Vecchia Signora of Platini, Boniek, Rossi, and Scirea. Although things looked good for the Neroazzurri after scoring 36 goals in 83 matches, but he was hampered by injuries.

Die Mannschaft

If there was one thing that does not allow people to place Rummenigge among players like Beckenbauer, Matthäus, Breitner, and Müller was the fact that he was not able to win the World Cup.

After players like Müller, Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, and Uli Stielike were no longer the heart and soul of Die Mannschaft; Rummenigge was one of the players that ushered in a new generation of West German player that included Harald Schumacher, Felix Magath, Lothar Matthäus, Pierre Littbarski, and Hans-Peter Briegel.

During his time the national team went through some very high points and historic lows.

After being eliminated in the second round of the 1978 World Cup, they were able to win the 1980 European Championship courtesy of Horst Hrubesch's brace against Belgium.

Rummenigge would start out the World Cup in Spain in good form as he would score in the opener; that would not suffice as the Germans would fall to Algeria 2-1. The Germans would get back on track as their biggest threat continued to show why he was one of the best in the game with a hat-trick against Chile.

Struck down with a fever he was not able to be a starter in the semifinals against France. After ending the first 90 minutes even at a goal a piece, France jumped out to a 2-1 lead in extra time with goal by Marius Trésor. At this point the game seemed over and the only major dent that was made was in Patrick Battiston's face by Harald Schumacher.

This is when coach Jupp Derwall inserts the ailing Rummenigge and the game changed, although not before France scored third off a strike by Alain Giresse. The Bayern Munich star would answer back four minutes later and then he would be an important player in Klaud Fischer's equalizer in the 108th minute.

Then it was all Schmacher as they would move on to the finals. In the end it would not be enough as the Azzurri would raise their third World Cup behind the scoring of Paolo Rossi and Marco Tardelli.

After failing to qualify for the 1984 European Championships,West Germany came in to Mexico as a big favorite to win the World Cup. They would once again face France in the semifinals. Just like France was Brazil boogeyman, West Germany was France's. The difference is that this time around Rummenigge was not the factor that he was four years earlier.

West Germany would fall behind against Argentina 2-0 and the player he was always mentioned alongside- Diego Maradona. If there was a consolation, it was that Rummenigge was the catalyst behind the West German comeback as he scored the team's first goal, his last goal with the national side. Rudi Völler would equalize, but any chances of a title were quashed by a brilliant Maradona pass into space to Jorge Burruchaga who would score the title winner for the Albiceleste.

Rummenigge was a player that was too young to be a part of the 1974 side and retired only to see the Germans win the 1990 cup against the Argentines. He is fifth all-time on the German national team scoring list with 45 goals behind Jürgen Klinsmann (47), Rudy Völler (47), Miroslav Klose (48), and the iconic Müller (68).

Rummenigge retired in 1989 after being the Swiss league's top scorer while he played with Servette.

Retirement years
After four years of being in the broadcast booth, Rummenigge was invited to become vice president of Bayern Munich. He was then promoted to become Chairman of the Board in 2002.

Resumé
Titles
Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga
• European Cup
• Intercontinental Cup
• German Cup

Germany

• EuroCup 1980

Individual Honors

• Named to FIFA 100 (2004)
  
• Bundesliga top scorer (1980, '81, '84)
• German Footballer of the year (1980)
• Swiss league top scorer (1989)
  
• European Footballer of the year (1980, '81)

Next week: Legendary Italian libero Gaetano Scirea.