Thissen made up the tough as nails defence of the big Standard of the 70s, together with Léon Jeck and Jacky Beurlet. He was an unyielding colossus who was quite quick and technically very able as a wing back. He often went in attack and scored as well. His most famous act was a shot on the post in the World Cup qualifying match at the Bosuil against The Netherlands. Thissen played with the then-called ‘Witte Duivels’ at the 1970 World Cup and the European Championship in 1972.