He set a world record of 144 international caps against Holland, but the fact that Ribbeck is still willing to rely on 39-year-old legs suggests there are precious few alternatives.

Matthaus had, in truth, been out of the side for some time before France 98 and earned his recall as much on merit as injuries to others.

Formerly a midfield playmaker, but now a sweeper, Matthaus was one of only three players at France 98 to have played in the 1982 Finals.

He was skipper of West Germany's World Cup-winning squad in 1990 but was in self-imposed exile when the unified Germany took the European Championship title in 1996.