Thomas Häßler
A diminutive midfield maestro whose pinpoint passing and free-kicks were central to Germany's 1990 World Cup and Euro '96 triumphs.
Born 1966 (age 60)·German footballer·Birthday: May 30·Generation X
Biography
Thomas Häßler, nicknamed 'Icke,' carved out a remarkable career defined not by physical stature but by immense technical skill and vision. Emerging from the youth system at 1. FC Köln, his low center of gravity and whip-smart right foot made him a Bundesliga standout before a pivotal move to Juventus in 1992. While his club journey saw him play for several top teams, including Roma and Borussia Dortmund, his legacy is inextricably tied to the German national team. Häßler was the creative heartbeat in the center of the park during a golden era, providing the incisive passes and deadly set-pieces that powered Germany to major tournament success. His playing style—a blend of guile, tenacity, and pinpoint accuracy—made him a fan favorite and a respected opponent across Europe.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Thomas was born in 1966, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Thomas Was Born
The biggest hits of 1966
#1 Movie
The Bible: In the Beginning
Best Picture
A Man for All Seasons
#1 TV Show
Bonanza
Thomas's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1966Born
Star Trek premieres on television
Gas: $0.32/galHome: $14,200Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"The Ballad of the Green Berets" — SSgt Barry SadlerBest Picture: A Man for All Seasons
1971Started school
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1979Became a teenager
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1982Could drive
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1984Could vote
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Turned 21
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1996Turned 30
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 40
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 50
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 60
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 1990 FIFA World Cup with West Germany, starting in the final against Argentina.
- Won UEFA Euro 1996 with Germany, playing a key creative role throughout the tournament.
- Named German Footballer of the Year in 1992 after his performances for Köln and the national team.
- Made over 100 appearances for the Germany national team, scoring 11 goals.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'Icke' is Berlin dialect for 'I,' reportedly given because he frequently said 'Icke will spielen' ('I want to play') as a youth.
He is one of the few players to have played for both Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04's fierce rivals, 1860 Munich and Bayern Munich (though he never played for Bayern).
After retirement, he obtained a football coaching license and worked as a youth coach for 1. FC Köln.
“A good footballer needs a good first touch, vision, and the courage to try the decisive pass.”
