4 of the Best Moments of Karl-Heinz Rummenigge's Career

Karl-HeinzRummeniggeis number 33 in 90min's Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time series.

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about Bayern Munich and Germany legends.

Coming into his own in the aftermath of Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller, Rummenigge was the poster boy for Bayern Munich in the early '80s as he helped to bring in a new era of dominance to Bavaria - winning seven Bundesliga titles during that decade.

It wasn't quite their 'Golden Era', but Rummenigge laid the foundations for FC Hollywood to take shape not long after and he had more than a handful of outstanding moments along the way too.

1980 Ballon d'Or

'Kalle' Rummenigge first appeared on the Ballon d'Or shortlist in 1979, ahead of Ruud Krol but still some way behind Kevin Keegan, who was playing his club football in Germany with Hamburger SV.

But the following year there really was only one clear winner. Rummenigge had lifted the Bundesliga title where he'd finished as the league's top goalscorer, also helping West Germany to glory at international level.

It was Rummenigge's first Ballon d'Or. But it wasn't his last.

1980 European Championships

One thing that was key in Rummenigge's success in the Ballon d'Or was Euro 1980.

An individual award wasn't handed out at the European Championships in Italy for the best player at the competition, but if it was, it would have gone to Rummenigge.

He was the star player as West Germany booked their place in the final against an impressive Belgium side, where two goals from Horst Hrubesch either side of René Vandereycken's penalty ensured Jupp Derwall's side lifted the trophy.

Rummenigge went on to take West Germany to two World Cup finals during his career too.

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In between Bayern Munich's Golden Era and their FC Hollywood status, the Bavarian club were given the nickname FC Breitnigge.

'Kalle' Rummenigge formed an incredible partnership with Paul Breitner in the heart of Bayern Munich's midfield and the two were instrumental in the club's success throughout the early 1980s.

In 1981, Bayern Munich scored 89 league goals, 46 of which were scored by their iconic duo. Breitner took and scored 10 penalties that season - a Bundesliga record that still stands - and was named as the Footballer of the Year.

1981 Ballon d'Or

Breitner was Bayern Munich's Footballer of the Year, but Rummenigge was Europe's.

He became just the third player in history to win back to back Ballon d'Or titles, joining Johan Cruyff and Kevin Keegan to win two consecutive awards.

Since, only Marco van Basten, Michel Platini, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have won at least two consecutive Ballons d'Or.

"Sexy Knees" (BONUS)

Okay, so classing this as one of 'Kalle' Rummenigge's best moments is probably a little bit of a stretch. But Alan & Denise's song really is something you'll have on repeat for weeks on end.

Their tribute to Rummenigge reached #43 in the German music charts.

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90min's 'Top 50 Greatest Footballers of All Time' can be found here.

Number 50: Luka Modric

Number 49: John Charles

Number 48: Hugo Sanchez

Number 47: Jairzinho

Number 46: Omar Sivori

Number 45: Paolo Rossi

Number 44: Paul Breitner

Number 43: George Weah

Number 42: Kaka