Reuter still going strong

By Mark Bennett

BV Borussia Dortmund defender Stefan Reuter is the last of the German FIFA World Cup-winning squad of 1990 still playing in the Bundesliga.

Still hungry
Despite reaching the age of 36 and having won virtually all the game has to offer, Reuter is as ambitious as ever. He might have lifted the World Cup and UEFA European Championship with his country, as well as the UEFA Champions League and Bundesliga at club level, but Reuter's winning instinct remains.

New deal
Reuter, capped 69 times by Germany, signed a new contract in January that will take him through to the end of the 2003/04 campaign, and he can even see himself playing on past next summer. "I am still fit and as long as nothing happens there is no reason to call it a day. The day I notice that I can't keep up with the others is the day I will quit myself. However, so far that isn't the case."

Long career
His long and successful career kicked off in 1985 when he joined 1. FC Nürnberg and he made 33 Bundesliga appearances in his first season in the German top flight. He has not looked back since, playing 471 Bundesliga games to date.

Important moves
After three years with Nürnberg, Reuter joined the mighty FC Bayern München, where he celebrated his first championship success in 1989. The following season he helped Bayern defend the title. But that was not his only achievement that year. Reuter was included in Franz Beckenbauer's squad that went on to lift the 1990 World Cup. Reuter's rise was complete when he made a substitute appearance as Argentina were defeated 1-0 in the final.

Many trophies
With a number of Europe's leading clubs now aware of his skills, it was no surprise when a move to Juventus FC came about in 1991/92. However, Reuter had little success in Italy and decided to return to Germany after one season to join Dortmund. Eleven years on at the Westfalenstadion, and Reuter has won the Bundesliga in 1996, 1997 and 2002, the Champions League in 1997, while also enjoying success at EURO 96™ with Germany.

Praise for fans
Not surprisingly he is in no hurry to retire. "The atmosphere at the club is great," he said. "The fans are really enthusiastic and that is why I have never wanted to leave." Reuter's commitment on the pitch will also remain the same, even though he has been relieved of the club captaincy after six years with the armband.

Team comes first
Coach Matthias Sammer has passed the honour on to 22-year-old German international defender Christoph Metzelder, following discussions with his squad. Typically, Reuter is not worried, putting the team first before any personal feelings. "I don't mind at all. It is a good thing if other players have to take responsibility," he said.

Cup proves elusive
Although there is little left for Reuter to win, the player is still hopeful of claiming the one domestic prize that has eluded him before he hangs up his boots - the German Cup. "I am still hungry and, even if it is hard to believe, I can get really nasty if someone endangers the success of the team," he said. Champions League and Bundesliga opponents have been warned.