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Karl-Heinz Schnellinger (born March 31, 1939 in Düren) is a former German footballer.
A vigorous defender, Schnellinger played most of his career in Italy. His debut in the Serie A came in 1963, when Schnellinger left 1. FC Köln for A.C. Mantova. He made his Serie A debut for a match against A.C. Milan ended in a surprising 4-1 victory of A.C. Mantova; however he played there only for one season, and was signed by A.S. Roma in 1964, and finally by A.C. Milan in 1965. He played nine seasons with the rossoneri, obtaining several successes both at the national and European level.
Schnellinger was a player for the West Germany national football team in the 1970 FIFA World Cup played in Mexico. Schnellinger, who never scored a goal in 222 matches for A.C. Milan, became famous for scoring the injury-time equaliser in the famous semi-final against Italy. His goal for 1-1 took the match into extra time, in which another five goals were scored. Although the Germans lost 4-3, the game is known in Germany as the Jahrhundertspiel, the "Match of the Century".
Schnellinger left A.C. Milan in 1974, and retired after a season back in his native Germany with Tennis Borussia Berlin.
Today Schnellinger still lives in Milan, and he works as businessman.
