Willi Kraus (1 May 1943 – 19 October 2008) was a German professional footballer who played for two seasons in the Bundesliga with FC Schalke 04. Kraus came through the youth ranks of Schalke 04, making his Oberliga debut as a 19-year-old on 10 April 1963 in a match against TSV Marl-Hüls. Having made one appearance for Schalke, Kraus moved to the Netherlands the following season and played for the Deventer-based team Go Ahead Eagles. He came back to Germany in 1964, signing for Regionalliga team Tennis Borussia Berlin and moved back to Schalke in 1966. Over two seasons in the Bundesliga, Kraus scored 16 goals in 36 top flight appearances, helping the team against their relegation struggles. The striker, who did not shy away from tackling his footballing opponents, was known for not pulling