Lars Ricken
Encyclopedia
Lars Ricken is a retired German
footballer. The skilled midfielder
represented Borussia Dortmund
during his entire professional career, which spanned 15 years.
He was the youngest player to ever appear for Borussia in an official match, a record later broken by Nuri Şahin
.
at an early age, and made his Bundesliga
debut on 8 March 1994 (not yet 18), in a 1–2 home defeat against VfB Stuttgart
. From the following season onwards, he became a regular, scoring a memorable long distance goal in the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League
final
against Juventus FC
. That goal made him the youngest goalscorer and scorer of the fastest goal in a final of the competition, finding the net after just 16 seconds on the field as a substitute. He also combined for 47 matches and eight goals in the side's back-to-back national titles (1994–96).
In the following years, Ricken's success was hampered by a series of injuries. An international
since 10 September 1997, in a 1998 FIFA World Cup
qualifier
against Armenia
, he missed that major international tournament, as well as UEFA Euro 2000. Later, he restored his form, helping Dortmund to claim the league title in 2002, scoring a career-best six goals, and being selected by national coach Rudi Völler
for the German squad at that year's World Cup
. Ricken did not play in the tournament, as Germany emerged runners-up.
Ricken's injury woes returned after the World Cup and, as a consequence, he failed to earn recognition at both European or international level. In early April 2007, he was demoted to the reserve team
by then Dortmund coach Thomas Doll
, due to substandard performance.
On November, Ricken announced to retire from football. In an attempt to return to football, he briefly attended a training camp in February 2008 with the Columbus Crew
of the Major League Soccer
, but returned to Germany and Dortmund in a few days.
On 11 June 2008, Borussia Dortmund sport director Michael Zorc
, also a former club footballer, announced that Ricken was to be hired as youth coordinator, with immediate effect, while still appearing for the club's amateur side, in Regionalliga West
. However, on 16 February 2009, he announced his retirement from professional football.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
footballer. The skilled midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
represented Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
during his entire professional career, which spanned 15 years.
He was the youngest player to ever appear for Borussia in an official match, a record later broken by Nuri Şahin
Nuri Sahin
Nuri Kâzım Şahin is a German-born Turkish footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Turkish national team and Real Madrid in the Spanish La Liga BBVA...
.
Football career
Ricken joined BV Borussia DortmundBorussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
at an early age, and made his Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
debut on 8 March 1994 (not yet 18), in a 1–2 home defeat against VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
. From the following season onwards, he became a regular, scoring a memorable long distance goal in the 1996–97 UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
final
1997 UEFA Champions League Final
The 1997 UEFA Champions League Final was a football match won 3-1 by Borussia Dortmund of Germany against Juventus from Italy.-Venue, date and colours:The event took place at the Olympiastadion in Munich on 28 May 1997....
against Juventus FC
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
. That goal made him the youngest goalscorer and scorer of the fastest goal in a final of the competition, finding the net after just 16 seconds on the field as a substitute. He also combined for 47 matches and eight goals in the side's back-to-back national titles (1994–96).
In the following years, Ricken's success was hampered by a series of injuries. An international
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
since 10 September 1997, in a 1998 FIFA World Cup
1998 FIFA World Cup
The 1998 FIFA World Cup, the 16th FIFA World Cup, was held in France from 10 June to 12 July 1998. France was chosen as host nation by FIFA on 2 July 1992. The tournament was won by France, who beat Brazil 3-0 in the final...
qualifier
1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone .A total of 50 UEFA teams entered the competition. The European zone was allocated 15 places in the final tournament...
against Armenia
Armenia national football team
The Armenia national football team represents Armenia in association football and is controlled by the Football Federation of Armenia, the governing body for football in Armenia...
, he missed that major international tournament, as well as UEFA Euro 2000. Later, he restored his form, helping Dortmund to claim the league title in 2002, scoring a career-best six goals, and being selected by national coach Rudi Völler
Rudi Völler
Rudolf 'Rudi' Völler is a German former international football striker, and a former manager of the German national team...
for the German squad at that year's World Cup
2002 FIFA World Cup
The 2002 FIFA World Cup was the 17th staging of the FIFA World Cup, held in South Korea and Japan from 31 May to 30 June. It was also the first World Cup held in Asia, and the last in which the golden goal rule was implemented. Brazil won the tournament for a record fifth time, beating Germany 2–0...
. Ricken did not play in the tournament, as Germany emerged runners-up.
Ricken's injury woes returned after the World Cup and, as a consequence, he failed to earn recognition at both European or international level. In early April 2007, he was demoted to the reserve team
Borussia Dortmund II
Borussia Dortmund II are the reserve team of Borussia Dortmund. They currently play in the Regionalliga West.-Current squad:-Current technical staff:- References :...
by then Dortmund coach Thomas Doll
Thomas Doll
Thomas Doll is a former footballer and coach. He is currently the Manager of Al-Hilal.- Career :...
, due to substandard performance.
On November, Ricken announced to retire from football. In an attempt to return to football, he briefly attended a training camp in February 2008 with the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
of the Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, but returned to Germany and Dortmund in a few days.
On 11 June 2008, Borussia Dortmund sport director Michael Zorc
Michael Zorc
Michael Zorc is a retired German footballer who played as a central midfielder.Nicknamed "Susi" in his early days because of his long hair, he spent his entire career with Borussia Dortmund, appearing in nearly 600 official games in 17 seasons...
, also a former club footballer, announced that Ricken was to be hired as youth coordinator, with immediate effect, while still appearing for the club's amateur side, in Regionalliga West
Regionalliga West
The Regionalliga West is the fourth tier of the German football league system since its introduction in 2008. It covers the states of Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland and North Rhine-Westphalia and is one of three leagues at this level, together with the Regionalliga Nord and the Regionalliga...
. However, on 16 February 2009, he announced his retirement from professional football.
Club
- UEFA Champions LeagueUEFA Champions LeagueThe UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
: 1996–97 - Intercontinental CupIntercontinental Cup (football)The European/South American Cup, commonly referred to as the World Club Championship, Intercontinental Cup or Toyota Cup, was a football competition endorsed by UEFA and CONMEBOL, contested between the winners of the European Cup and the South American Copa Libertadores...
: 1997 - German LeagueFußball-BundesligaThe Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
: 1994–95, 1995–96, 2001–02 - UEFA Cup: Runner-up 2001–02
- German CupDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
: Runner-up 2007–08 - German League CupDFB-LigapokalThe DFB-Ligapokal, or German League Cup, was a German football competition that took place before the start of the Bundesliga season, featuring the top five teams of the previous Fußball-Bundesliga season and the winners of the DFB-Pokal in Germany...
: Runner-up 2003