The Bundesliga mourns Dieter Herzog

20.11.2025

Former Bayer Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf winger Dieter Herzog, who won the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 1974, has passed away at the age of 79.

Dieter Herzog joined Fortuna Düsseldorf in 1970 and quickly established himself as a leading figure within the team. Over six years, he made 392 appearances for the club, including 253 competitive matches, and scored 81 goals.

In his very first season, he contributed 13 goals to help secure promotion to the Bundesliga – a milestone that marked the start of a highly successful era.

His performances earned him recognition beyond Düsseldorf. In 1974, Germany coach Helmut Schön called him up to the national team, and he was part of the squad that won the World Cup that same year.

Particularly memorable was his appearance in the second final round at Düsseldorf’s Rheinstadion – a moment that remains closely associated with his career.

Dieter Herzog in the red of Leverkusen - imago sportfotodienst

Between August 1970 and November 1974, Herzog played an impressive 158 league matches in a row – a run that still stands as a testament to his exceptional consistency and professionalism.

Among his unforgettable moments was the legendary 6–5 victory over Bayern Munich in June 1975, in which he scored the decisive goal. Equally memorable was his farewell in 1976: with a hat-trick in his final match, he played a crucial role in securing the club’s survival.

Even after his move to Bayer Leverkusen, his name remained closely associated with Fortuna Düsseldorf. On the occasion of his 75th birthday, the club honoured him as “the boy from the Ruhr who became a world champion”, a description that captures both his journey and his character perfectly.