Germany have had a plethora of world-class stars during their history, some of whom have gone on to win more than 100 caps in the famous black and white.
But who has turned out more than anyone else? Football FanCast has taken a look at the top 20 German appearance-makers of all time, ahead of Euro 2024, with a detailed view of the top 10.
All information correct as of 15th May 2025.
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Rank
Player
Caps
1
Lothar Matthaus
150
2
Miroslav Klose
137
3
Thomas Muller
131
4
Lukas Podolski
130
5
Manuel Neuer
124
6
Bastian Schweinsteiger
121
7
Toni Kroos
114
8
Philipp Lahm
113
9
Jurgen Klinsmann
108
10
Jurgen Kohler
105
11
Per Mertesacker
104
12
Franz Beckenbauer
103
13
Thomas Häßler
101
14
Toni Kroos
99
15
Michael Ballack
98
16
Berti Vogts
96
=17
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge
95
=17
Sepp Maier
95
19
Mesut Ozil
92
20
Rudi Voller
90
Here is a detailed look at Germany’s 10 most-capped players:
10 Jurgen Kohler 105 caps
Aside from four years with Juventus, Jurgen Kohler plied his club career in Germany and made more than 100 appearances for his country between 1986 and 1998.
During that time, the centre-back won the World Cup in 1990 and the European Championship in 1996, scoring two goals in 105 caps.
9 Jurgen Klinsmann 108 caps
Someone who won’t add to his 108 caps is Jurgen Klinsmann, one of Germany’s leading goalscorers of all time, who found the back of the net on 47 occasions.
The former striker played for both West Germany and Germany between 1987 and 1998, and also represented his country at the Olympic Games before returning to the national setup as manager in 2004.
8 Philipp Lahm 113 caps
Philipp Lahm is regarded by many as one of the greatest full-backs in modern history, and he starred on the biggest stage with Germany after making his debut at the age of 20.
In fact, the versatile right-back made the World Cup Team of the Tournament in 2006, 2010 and 2014, finally winning the competition at the third time of asking. He was also in the European Championship Team of the Tournament in 2008 and 2012.
7 Toni Kroos 114 caps
Known for his passing and set-piece ability, midfield dynamo Toni Kroos made his debut back in 2010, helping his country win the World Cup four years later in Brazil.
Kroos originally announced his retirement in 2021, but announced that he would come out of international retirement ahead of the 2024 European Championship.
Hosts Germany were knocked out in the quarter-finals, but Kroos would retire as a legend. Aside from winning the World Cup, one of his brighter moments in a Germany shirt arguably came in 2018, when his last-gasp free-kick briefly kept their dreams alive.
6 Bastian Schweinsteiger 121 caps
Described as one of Germany’s greatest by former manager Joachim Low, Bastian Schweinsteiger made 121 appearances for his country, the majority of which came under Low.
The midfielder made his international debut at the age of 19 and would go on to represent Germany in seven major tournaments. He was part of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad, retiring from international duty two years later.
5 Manuel Neuer 124 caps
No goalkeeper has won more caps for Germany than Manuel Neuer, with the Bayern Munich legend playing for club and country well into his late thirties.
The shot-stopper won the U21 European Championship in 2009 and then went on to become first-choice for the senior side a year later. Since then, Neuer has played in eight major tournaments, captaining Die Mannschaft in a number of those.
4 Lukas Podolski 130 caps
Lukas Podolski could’ve represented Poland but decided to play for Germany instead – a decision which paid off over the course of his 14-year international career.
The left-footed forward turned out in seven major tournaments and scored 49 goals in 130 appearances, netting the winner in his final Germany game against England in 2017.
3 Thomas Muller 131 caps
Thomas Muller retired from international duty following Germany’s exit from Euro 2024, with the attacker leaving as a World Cup winner and Die Mannschaft legend.
The versatile forward burst onto the international scene in 2010 and had been a regular in the squad up until his retirement, winning the World Cup in 2014 as well as the World Cup Golden Boot in 2010. Muller also scored 45 goals for Germany.
2 Miroslav Klose 137 caps
Germany’s top international goalscorer of all time with 71 goals, Miroslav Klose sits second on the list for most caps with an impressive 137.
The clinical striker didn’t make his senior debut for the national side until the age of 23, but quickly made up for lost time, becoming a regular over the next 14 years. The iconic forward also holds the record for the most goals scored at the World Cup with 16.
1 Lothar Matthaus 150 caps
Top of the charts for Germany is versatile midfielder Lothar Matthaus, who ended his international career with 150 caps.
The Bayern Munich icon made his debut for his country at the 1980 European Championship, picking up a winners’ medal, and ten years later, won the 1990 World Cup. Matthaus made appearances for his nation over 21 consecutive years, retiring in 2000.
