Oliver 'Der Titan' Kahn. It's a nickname befitting of the great man.
Standing at just over 6ft 1inches tall, the intimidating German was certainly talented. He twice claimed the record for longest period without conceding a goal in the Bundesliga and during a trophy-laden, 21-year career, he became the only goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball award.
There was no doubting his ability between the sticks but it was his utterly terrifying presence that many remember most.
He wasn't just feared by his opponents, either. Former Germany and Bayern Munich forward Mehmet Scholl, who spent 13 years playing alongside Kahn with The Bavarians, once said there were only two things in life he feared: war and Oliver Kahn.
Advert
The former Germany captain had a reputation for losing his temper and, in a quite brilliant video, the Bundesliga YouTube channel have created a masterpiece celebrating his most outrageous moments, including the time he scared Bayer Leverkusen striker Thomas Brdaric by "pushing him down like a wrestler."
Oh, and let's not forget the time he nibbled on the neck of Dortmund player Heiko Herrlich.
Just check this out.
Kahn did not achieve his legendary status without establishing himself as a powerhouse for Bayern - and he wasn't going to ease up against any type of opposition in a one-off match, including nine-year-olds in a charity penalty shootout.
Advert
That's right. Tor! - a book that focuses on the history of German football - claims that Kahn took part in a penalty shootout against a bunch of nine-year-olds for charity. According to the story, every time that the youngsters scored against the Bayern Munich legend, money would be donated to charity.
Unfortunately for the nine-year-olds, the 51-year-old German shot-stopper had no intention of allowing himself to be beaten and ended up saving every single shot fired his way in the shootout.
Even when it comes to charity, the man lived up to his reputation.
The former Germany international's winning mentality in the sport was something else.
Advert
The man himself spoke about how important his body language was in directing fear into the heart of his opponents.
"I often use my body language to show my team 'complete presence' -- and to instil respect, or even better fear, in my opponents," he explained.
"Goalkeepers need an element of insanity. Who else would stand there and allow people to shoot balls at their face or stomach, and still think it's great?"
One of the all-time greats - but my god was he scary.
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Football News, Bayern, Football, Germany, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga
