Lothar Herbert Matthäus was, doubtless, a fabulous footballer. He’s also a great survivor. He’s, perhaps, just a tad controversial too. But, the most important thing: Matthäus was back in the German World Cup squad after a two-year gap, during his last big hurrah for his country — in spite of his never-ending battle of attrition and power struggle with captain, Júrgen Klinsmann. His magic was just as good as it was before — the difference being of degree, if not age, the bugbear of professional sports.
Yes, when the awesome twosome had called it cease-fire, after their mental skirmishes, nobody was more pleased than coach, Berti Vogts, and football fans. For Matthäus, who’s booted out of his country’s team for undermining team interests, not to speak of his alleged involvement in spreading rumours and actively lobbying to have Klinsmann removed from the national squad, it’s a remarkable comeback. It’s a logical return too. So much so, Klinsmann and Matthäus, realising their country’s need for them, announced that they had no problems playing together — for a noble cause. It was good for Germany. Maybe, it was bad for opposing teams. The rest, as the axiom goes, is history.
Matthäus (born, March 21, 1961) was, perhaps, Germany’s most capped player. He played in 150 internationals. World Cup 1998 was his fifth — his last — after 1982, 1986, 1990, and 1994. At 38, he was, at that point in time, aging. So, he found some gaps in goaltending. But, he wanted to play for the national team, with fire in his belly, again. This was his will power — to emerge victorious. It was a possibility construct, not impossibility. But, that is a story for another day; another time.
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