Thaindian News

Kolkata, Jan 14 (IANS) German soccer legend Lothar Mathhaus considers Spain as the favourites for the forthcoming World Cup to be held in South Africa in June.
“I saw them playing. They have excellent players, who can make a difference,” the skipper of the 1990 World Cup winning West German team told mediapersons after unveiling the World Cup trophy here Friday.

Mathhaus turned out in five consecutive World Cups for Germany between 1982 and 1998 and also holds the record for the most number of appearances in the quadrennial soccer extravaganza (25 matches).

On Germany’s prospects in South Africa, the 48-year-old said: “Germany are always a favourite in World Cups. We may not have the best of players. But they work great together. It is said if you win against Germany you can win the tournament. But it is not easy to win against Germany”.

Mathhaus, the most capped German player with 150 appearances for his country, described Argentine Lionel Messi as the best footballer in the world now.

The former German midfielder-turned-sweeper described the 1990 World Cup crown as the happiest moment in his life. “When you get the Cup as captain it’s a feeling you cannot describe”.

The saddest moment was his side German club Bayern Munich’s 1-2 loss to England’s Manchester United in 1998-99. Bayern led 1-0 for most part of the match, but Manchester struck twice in the last minute of injury time to win the title.

“Had we concentrated till the last second, Manchester would not have won,” said Mathhaus, who first ever FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991.

Wiser after the disappointing experience, Mathhaus urged footballers never to be sure till the final whistle. “Never give up a match, never be sure till the last second”.

Asekd why Germany has not found any more Mathhaus over the past eight years, he said: “You can’t create clones of players like me, Brazilian Ronaldo or Pele, or Agentine Maradona. Had Brazil got clones of Pele every five years, nobody could have beaten them”.

At the same time, Mathhaus felt the rise of new stars in Germany was a problem as players were not allowed to play their own style of football. “It’s the system which matters. But having said that one cannot overlook the Germans’ winning mentality.”