Olaf Thon: century match on his birthday. One day after turning 18, future world champion Olaf Thon delivered the match of his life. On 2 May 1984, in a ludicrous 6–6 after extra time in the cup semi-final against Bayern Munich, the star of one of Schalke’s greatest homegrown players was born.\n\nThon scored three times, three times he brought Schalke level, and three times he drove the drama to absurd heights.
He would later captain the greatest modern Schalke side, the Euro Fighters, to UEFA Cup glory in 1997, then win the DFB-Pokal in 2001 and 2002. He could never bring the league title to Gelsenkirchen, though – only to Munich, where he won three with Bayern. After losing 0–2 in Munich in 1994, Schalke’s away support sang, “Come home, Olaf Thon,” and he did that summer.\n\nAfter retirement, Schalke made him an official club ambassador.
