Guido Buchwald

Born in Berlin, he was drawn to Stuttgart whilst still a teenager, initially joining the Kickers, where he later established himself as a professional footballer in the second division. At the age of 22, he moved to their big neighbours, VfB, in the Bundesliga. In his first season there, Buchwald started all 34 league matches and immediately helped his team win the German championship – the Swabians’ first in 34 years. Eight years later, as VfB captain, he once again lifted the trophy following a dramatic season finale. Thanks to his 88th-minute header whilst a man down on the final matchday at Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Stuttgart were able to clinch the title in the three-way race with Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt at the very last moment.

In 1984, Buchwald made his debut for the German national team, for whom he made a total of 76 appearances. Although dropped from the squad by manager Franz Beckenbauer ahead of the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Buchwald reached the pinnacle of his career four years later at the tournament in Italy. The reliable defensive specialist featured in all seven group stage matches, shining with unexpected attacking qualities and technical finesse. After a step-over followed by an assist for Jürgen Klinsmann in the round of 16 against European champions the Netherlands, his team-mates gave him the nickname ‘Diego’, in reference to Argentina’s ball wizard Maradona. 

In the final against the South Americans, he found himself in a direct duel with the real Diego. Throughout the match, Buchwald – always playing fairly – prevented the world’s best player at the time from making his mark. The duel between the two was symptomatic of the match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, in which the Argentines stood no chance against the German team despite the narrow 1–0 final score, courtesy of Andy Brehme’s penalty. 

Years later, Guido “Diego” Buchwald donated his World Cup jersey to the German Football Museum’s exhibition, where it was given a place of honour – as befits its status – alongside Diego Armando Maradona’s blue final jersey.