Lothar Matthäus wore the FC Bayern jersey for a total of 12 years, holds the record for most caps with Germany and is so far the only German World Player of the Year, shaping Bayern and the reputation of German football internationally. When a man like Matthäus turns 60, he deserves the appropriate honour and a look back at his outstanding career. To mark the milestone birthday, the FC Bayern Museum will display the special exhibition "IL GRANDE LOTHAR: World champion, world footballer, record breaker".
After the re-opening of the club museum, visitors can look forward to brand new exhibits that illuminate the life of the 60-year-old on and off the pitch. Matthäus has personally selected exhibits from his own possessions for the project and played a large part in the fact that his terrific career can be highlighted from its early steps to the great successes. For example, the certificate for honorary membership for his youth club 1. FC Herzogenaurach is just as much a part of the exhibition as the gold-plated adidas shoe from the 1990 World Cup final in Rome, which tells its very own story.
Centrepiece is the World Player of the Year trophy
The centrepiece is the World Player of the Year trophy - not just as an eye-catcher, but as a historical document. To this day, Matthäus is the only German to be named best player in the world. What Robert Lewandowski achieved in 2020, Matthäus achieved 29 years earlier. The years around the World Cup victory in 1990 were the most successful for him personally, playing at the time for Inter Milan. These years are the focus of the exhibition in numerous other corners, including the emotional birthday film, which was largely shot in the FC Bayern Museum.
In the film, Matthäus speaks about his career, his most important games and goals, but also the numerous records that the current TV pundit set during his active days. Among other things, he holds the appearance records for the Germany national team and the World Cup finals, the record for the oldest Germany cap, and he has captained the country the most times. The list is long and impressive - just like the selection of memorabilia in the completely redesigned time capsule from 1990-99. Among other things, visitors can learn a secret about Matthäus' final boot, which Diego Maradona had prepared two years earlier, and see the World Cup winner's jersey from 1990 signed by the entire team.
Member of four Hall of Fames
Anyone who is in four halls of fame has left important marks. Matthäus won seven Bundesliga titles, two DFB Cups and the UEFA Cup in 1996 with FC Bayern, where he moved in 1984 from Mönchengladbach and returned between 1992 and 2000. Between 1988 and 1992, "IL GRANDE" had a successful spell with Inter Milan. All of his playing locations - including at the end of his career in New York - are illuminated on the jersey wall using specially selected items.
Matthäus only hung up his football boots at the age of 39 and fought on until the last game. Even serious injuries could not slow him down. Since then, he has maintained his meticulousness as a coach and a TV expert. His opinion on football is still valued and in demand all over the world. Anyone who visits the special exhibition - included in the entrance fee to the FC Bayern Museum - will know why. "Il GRANDE LOTHAR" will be in the FC Bayern Museum until the end of 2021.
