Fun Facts
Julian Draxler was the club’s most expensive signing
Julian Draxler was the club’s most expensive signing up to the end of 2019, at 37 million euros.
up to the end of 2019, at 37 million euros. When he forced his way out to Paris Saint-Germain for 45 million, Wolfsburg at least made a profit.
The most expensive export was Kevin De Bruyne,
The most expensive export was Kevin De Bruyne, sold to Manchester City in 2015 for what was then a Bundesliga-record 75 million euros....
sold to Manchester City in 2015 for what was then a Bundesliga-record 75 million euros.
The club colours came about by chance in
The club colours came about by chance in 1945 when youth official Bernward Elberskirch found ten green shirts and the players’ wives made the shorts from donated bed sheets.
1945 when youth official Bernward Elberskirch found ten green shirts and the players’ wives made the shorts from donated bed sheets. When Wolfsburg’s city flag was introduced in 1955 it too adopted green and white.
No “real” Lower Saxony derby: fans of Eintracht
No “real” Lower Saxony derby: fans of Eintracht Braunschweig and Hannover 96 recognise only each other as proper derby opponents.
Braunschweig and Hannover 96 recognise only each other as proper derby opponents. The now strongest club in Lower Saxony does not count. Hannover’s aversion went so far that before a cup match in 2018 they launched the hashtag #keinderby.
Pelé in Wolfsburg: in the summer of 1961
Pelé in Wolfsburg: in the summer of 1961 the Brazilian star came to play with Santos in a friendly arranged by Volkswagen.
the Brazilian star came to play with Santos in a friendly arranged by Volkswagen. The Wolves lost 6–3 but showed themselves well, while Pelé scored twice.
Wölfi and the panic attack: the wolf mascot
Wölfi and the panic attack: the wolf mascot once triggered an acute panic attack in a young VfL fan, though the eight-year-old recovered quickly after...
once triggered an acute panic attack in a young VfL fan, though the eight-year-old recovered quickly after fainting.
Penalties: Wolfsburg were involved in the first penalty
Penalties: Wolfsburg were involved in the first penalty shootout in DFB-Pokal history, against Schalke on December 23, 1970.
shootout in DFB-Pokal history, against Schalke on December 23, 1970. Keeper Dieter Grünsch saved two penalties, but only Dieter Thun scored for Wolfsburg and Schalke won 4–2.
The official anthem is “Grün-Weiß VfL,” but another
The official anthem is “Grün-Weiß VfL,” but another song is more famous: the German national anthem was written by Hoffmann von Fallersleben, born in Fallersleben, now a district of Wolfsburg.
song is more famous: the German national anthem was written by Hoffmann von Fallersleben, born in Fallersleben, now a district of Wolfsburg. The stadium still likes to play the Niedersachsenlied sung by Heino.
Forever a works club: with title in hand
Forever a works club: with title in hand and VW at their back, Wolfsburg’s success would not have been possible without the carmaker — and their rivals know it.
and VW at their back, Wolfsburg’s success would not have been possible without the carmaker — and their rivals know it. When Klaus Allofs accused Bayern of distorting competition in 2015, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tartly advised Wolfsburg never again to talk about distortion of competition, since everyone in Germany knew how they had financed players like Gustavo, De Bruyne and Schürrle.
Ratings fright: even after more than twenty Bundesliga
Ratings fright: even after more than twenty Bundesliga years Wolfsburg remained a grey television mouse.
years Wolfsburg remained a grey television mouse. In 2018/19 only Augsburg drew lower average Sky audiences.
Fun Facts — Update 2020–2026
The women’s team of VfL Wolfsburg were for years more successful than the men — serial champions and regular Champions League participants.
The women’s team of VfL Wolfsburg were for
The women’s team of VfL Wolfsburg were for years more successful than the men — serial champions and regular Champions League participants.
years more successful than the men — serial champions and regular Champions League participants. Only Bayern Munich eventually displaced the Wolfsburg women as the number one in Germany.
Words of Wisdom — Update
Words of Wisdom — Update...
“What are you looking at? Stupid!” — Lionel
“What are you looking at?
Messi to Wout Weghorst after the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. Not Wolfsburg’s own words — but thanks to a Wolfsburg player, the most famous football insult of that year.