Lars Ricken: a football life in black and yellow

Lars Ricken, born on July 10, 1976 in Dortmund, marked an entire era Borussia Dortmund. His talent was evident from the beginning and in 1990 he moved from TuS Eving-Lindenhorst, via TSC Eintracht Dortmund, to BVB. After winning the European Under-16 Championship in 1992, Ricken was promoted to the professional team in 1993/94 under coach Ottmar Hitzfeld and made his debut Bundesliga-Debut in March 1994.

His first goal was not long in coming and marked the start of an impressive career, capped by the legendary “Goal of the Century” in the 1997 Champions League final against Juventus. This goal is still present today when it comes to Lars Ricken. But Ricken doesn't feel reduced to that. Compared to the Kicker He states: “There are races worse than mine (laughs). “I am grateful and see it as a gift to be able to continue talking about this goal after 25 years.”

Ricken won three German championships and the Champions League in 1997, as well as the World Cup that same year with BVB. However, his international career was characterized by less consistency; He played 16 times for the German national team and scored one goal. After several injuries and a change of role within the team, he ended his active career at Borussia Dortmund Amateurs in 2009.

Family, heritage and his life after his time as a player.

Ricken largely keeps his private life out of the public eye. He was with the television presenter Andrea Kaiser. marriedwhom she married in 2010. However, the marriage ended in 2013.

Ricken remarried in May 2016 and had a daughter that same month. The identity of his second wife and other details about his family life remain largely private.

Following his playing career, Lars Ricken remained loyal to football, this time in administrative and support roles. He has worked as a youth coordinator since 2014 and in 2021 he took over the management of the club's own youth performance centre. He is responsible for young talents, such as: Youssoufa Moukoko and Giovanni Reyna.

New challenge: sports director

Borussia Dortmund recently surprised with a personal decision: Lars Ricken became sporting director. Borussia Dortmund's new squad surprises many. In particular, the fact that sporting director Sebastian Kehl was not appointed sporting director and therefore successor as had long been expected. Hans Joaquin Watzke It is promoted, it caused a stir.

Instead, Lars Ricken, another former long-time professional, will be appointed to the club's management, as the club announced in an ad hoc announcement on Monday. As Watzke did before, the 47-year-old is expected to rely on the senior adviser's experience to support him. Matías Sammer To fall again. Ricken's new contract will run until June 30, 2027.