World Cup 2018: The Greatest World Cup XI of all time

Defensive Midfielder: Lothar Matthaus (West Germany)

Lothar Matthaus holds the record of participating in 5 world cups jointly with Antonio Carvajal, the Mexican goalkeeper. He has also played in 25 World Cup matches, the highest by any player in the history of the tournament. Matthaus finished runner-up in the 1986 World Cup with the West German team. He, however, made amends in 1990 by lifting the trophy as the West German captain. He also played in the 1998 World Cup as a 37-year old veteran and held another record of being the oldest German player to appear in a World Cup match.

The versatile Matthaus was comfortable playing both as a defensive midfielder and an attacking one. He played as a central attacking midfielder in the 1990 World Cup and scored 4 goals in that tournament. In 1998, Matthaus played as a libero and thereby left an indelible mark of his versatility.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Amar Anand