The greatest Austrian footballers of all time

Austria was once one of the best footballing countries in the world, producing world-class players in the 20th century, but it also had excellent players in other generations. Here are the best Austrian players of all time.

We start with one of Austria's contemporary stars, Marko Arnautovic, who has played more than 100 games for his country and continues to do so. At club level he has played with Stoke City, West Ham and Internazionale, among others.

In the rear, Real Madrid's David Alaba has been one of Austria's leading figures for years, after forcing a breakthrough at Bayern Munich.

Alex Manninger was appreciated for his excellent shot-stopping skills, which he displayed at Arsenal from 1997 to 2001.

Vienna-born Josef Bican was a fearsome striker at his peak, representing Austria, Czechoslovakia and Bohemia and Moravia in his career. According to the Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation (RSSSF) he is the second-most prolific goalscorer in history.

Former midfielder Gerhard Hanappi is considered one of the best Austrians ever, starring with his national team and Rapid Vienna thanks to his great technical skills.

Matthias Sindelar, on the other hand, entered the history books of Austria Vienna as one of the club's best ever players. Sindelar collected 43 appearances with Austria, scoring 27 goals as a centre-forward.

One of the stars of the present Austrian generation, Marcel Sabitzer has built a fine career in Germany with RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich and currently Borussia Dortmund.

Christian Fuchs will always be remembered as one of Leicester City's 2016 Premier League champions, after which he retired in January 2023.

Marc Janko was a striker who netted most of his club goals for RB Salzburg, but also scored 28 goals for his country.

Part of the Austrian 'Wunderteam' of the 1930s, Anton Schall impressed with his finishing skills, which allowed him to score 27 goals in only 28 appearances for his country.

Ernst Happel is considered one of the best football managers of all time, but he was also a great footballer, who made it into Rapid Vienna's Team of the Century in 1999 and played two World Cups with Austria.

Former striker Hans Krankl played for Rapid Vienna and Wiener AC (on loan), before moving to European giants Barcelona and winning the Cup Winners' Cup by scoring in the final. With Austria, he netted 34 goals in 69 matches.

Toni Polster deserves a place on this list because he is still Austria's all-time top scorer with 44 goals and also enjoyed a fine club career with three Austrian Bundesliga titles.

Andreas Herzorg played with Bayern Munich, but is best known for his time at Werder Bremen, with whom he won the 1992/93 Bundesliga title, among other trophies.

Herbert Prohaska, an excellent playmaker in his prime, distinguished himself for Austria Vienna, Internazionale and AS Roma, as well as having earned 83 caps (10 goals) for his country.

Rudolph Hiden, one of his country's best goalkeepers, played for the Austrian Wunderteam, making 30 appearances for his country, but also represented France on one occasion.

Karl Sesta was one of the best defenders of his generation and, just like Hiden, was part of the much applauded Austrian Wunderteam.

Bruno Pezzey was also considered one of his country's best defenders. He made his name at Wacker Innsbruck, before winning the UEFA Cup with Eintracht Frankfurt in 1980. Internationally, he earned 84 caps for his country.

Karl Koller is considered one of the best midfielders in Austrian history, having helped his country to a third place finish at the 1954 FIFA World Cup.

The same applies to former central midfielder Ernst Ocwirk, who captained his country to its best ever World Cup result in 1954.

Austria's goalkeeper in 1954, was Walter Zeman, who gathered 41 caps for his country.

In his heyday, Josef Blum was considered one of the best defenders in the world, known above all for his speed and positional play.

Picture credit: sinborceguiesnohayfutbol.blogspot.com

Just like Blum, Erich Obermayer (pictured left) was a defender, and not just any defender, as he was included in the Austrian's Team of the Century in 2001.

Part of the Austrian Wunderteam in the 1930s, Josef Smistik is considered a legend of Austrian football, able to play as a midfielder and defender.

Picture credit: pesmitidelcalcio.com

Walter Nausch (pictured left) was selected in Austria's Team of the Century in 2001 and was an integral part of his country's Wunderteam.

Former striker Karl Zischek (centre, front row) also played for the same Wunderteam and scored 24 goals in 40 appearances for Austria.

Considered one of Austria's all-time greats, Karl Decker (pictured left) represented both Germany and Austria on an international level and scored most of his club goals for First Vienna FC.

Franz Binder is also considered one of Austria's greats, with an impressive goal-scoring ability that would place him among the most prolific strikers in history.