Skip to main content
NEU Senior Regional Support Officer
How prejudice and tragedy hit ‘Germany's black pearl’
ASIF BURHAN researches the story of Germany's first black international footballer — one rarely told in English
West Germany lose 2-0 to England at Wembley in 1975, as Kostedde failed to make an impact

“I WOULD have played a lot more than three internationals had Gerd Muller not been around then,” Erwin Kostedde has recalled.

Filling the shoes of the country’s greatest goalscorer, in a team that had become the first in history to win the European Championship and World Cup in succession, would have been a burden for anyone. 

But 28-year-old Kostedde, picked to wear Muller’s number nine just five months after “Der Bomber” had retired from international football, had to deal with the added scrutiny of becoming the first black man to represent Germany.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Champions League Knockout Phase Play Offs, first leg match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester, February 11, 2025
Men’s Football / 16 January 2026
16 January 2026

Forward’s rise as the tournament’s leading scorer reflects a journey shaped by heritage and belief as Morocco reach the final, writes JAMES NALTON

Myles Lewis-Skelly celebrates scoring England's first goal o
Men's Football / 23 March 2025
23 March 2025
United States' Angela Stanford tees off in the singles match
Women’s golf / 21 March 2025
21 March 2025