Michael Opitz
German footballer (1962–2026)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michael Opitz (16 July 1962 – 20 January 2026) was a German footballer who played as a defensive midfielder for Schalke 04.[1] He completed 158 matches in the Bundesliga and made 66 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga for the club.
Date of birth
16 July 1962
Place of birth
Finnentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany
Date of death
20 January 2026 (aged 63)
Place of death
Finnentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
|
Opitz in 1987 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 16 July 1962 | ||
| Place of birth | Finnentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany | ||
| Date of death | 20 January 2026 (aged 63) | ||
| Place of death | Finnentrop, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1976–1979 | Schalke 04 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979–1988 | Schalke 04 | 224 | (12) |
| 1988–1990 | Sportfreunde Siegen | ||
| International career | |||
| 1982 | West Germany U-21 | 2 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Opitz died on 20 January 2026, at the age of 63.[2]
