{"id":255005,"first_name":"Leon Christoph","last_name":"Goretzka","short_name":"L. Goretzka","common_name":"Leon Goretzka","place_of_birth":"Bochum","gender":"male","height":189,"weight":76,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T19:05:54.402Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:36.796Z","locale":"en","age":30,"stb_id":"leon-goretzka","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Leon Goretzka","top_position":null,"introduction":"Leon Christoph Goretzka, born on 6 February 1995, is a prominent German professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a midfielder. Currently playing for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, Goretzka has garnered widespread acclaim for his contributions on both club and international stages. Since his full international debut in 2014, he has earned over 50 caps for Germany and played in major tournaments such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the latter of which he won with his national team.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nLeon Goretzka was born in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, where he grew up in an environment nurturing his early interests in football. His father, Konrad, worked as an automotive and electrical engineer, while his mother, Katharina, was involved in business management and church activities. Goretzka pursued his education diligently, completing his Abitur at Alice-Salomon-Berufskolleg in Bochum. His family's supportive environment played a crucial role in his early development as a footballer.\n\n## Youth Career\nGoretzka's football journey began at Werner SV 06 Bochum, where he joined in 1999. After two years, he transitioned to the youth setup of VfL Bochum in 2001, where he honed his skills and showcased his potential. His standout performances earned him the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal in Gold for the U17 category in 2012, highlighting his exceptional talent during his formative years.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### VfL Bochum\nLeon Goretzka made his professional debut with VfL Bochum on 4 August 2012 in a 2. Bundesliga match against Dynamo Dresden at the rewirpowerSTADION. The 2012–13 season saw him become the team's standout performer as they narrowly avoided relegation.\n\n### Schalke 04\nOn 30 June 2013, Goretzka joined Schalke 04 for a transfer fee of €3.250 million. Over five seasons, he developed into a vital player, helping Schalke finish among the Bundesliga's top teams, including a second-place finish in the 2017–18 season.\nHe competed in notable matches like his 100th Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund. Following a successful stint, Goretzka announced his move to Bayern Munich in 2018.\n\n### Bayern Munich\nGoretzka joined Bayern Munich on 1 July 2018. He quickly adapted to the new team and by the end of the 2018–19 season had won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. Playing a crucial role in Bayern's midfield, Goretzka aided the team in achieving a treble in the 2019–20 season, which included winning the UEFA Champions League. He signed a contract extension with Bayern until 2026, emphasizing his importance to the club.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nGoretzka's national team journey began with the Germany U-16 team in 2010, later captaining the U-17 team to the UEFA European Championship final in 2012.\n\n### Senior National Team\nGoretzka made his senior debut on 13 May 2014 against Poland. Despite missing the 2014 World Cup due to injury, he shone in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring three goals and playing key roles in pivotal matches, helping Germany secure the title. He was part of the squads for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020, where his performances further highlighted his caliber as a formidable midfielder on the international stage.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nLeon Goretzka is known for his versatility as a midfielder, capable of playing as a central, defensive, or right winger. Admired for his ball control, passing ability, and powerful shots, Goretzka excels in scoring from distance and employing his heading prowess to win aerial duels. Standing at 1.89 m, his physical presence and tactical intelligence have drawn comparisons to German legends Lothar Matthäus and Michael Ballack.\n\n## Performance Statistics\n- Club appearances for Bayern Munich: Over 200 matches\n- Bundesliga and Champions League goals: Numerous, contributing significantly in key matches\n\n## Records\n- Joint top scorer in the 2017 Confederations Cup\n- Integral part of Bayern Munich's treble-winning 2019–20 season","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Bundesliga titles: Multiple wins with Bayern Munich from 2018 to 2023\n- UEFA Champions League: 2019–20\n- FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017 with Germany\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Fritz Walter Medal U17 Gold: 2012\n- UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2019–20\n- Bundesliga Team of the Season: Various instances including 2017–18 and 2020–21\n\n## Awards and Recognition\n- FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Boot: 2017\nReceived wide recognition for his critical contributions to both club and country over the years","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nLeon Goretzka’s professional journey reflects his development into one of Germany's leading midfield talents. His contributions to Bayern Munich and Germany underline his significant impact on modern football, seamlessly combining athleticism with technical finesse.\n\n## Off the Field\nGoretzka co-initiated the 'We Kick Corona' campaign with Joshua Kimmich to support COVID-19 relief efforts. An active voice against hate crimes, he has been involved in various initiatives to promote social justice and inclusion.\n\n## Personal Life\nLeon maintains a balance between his sports career and personal interests, having founded businesses like a real estate firm. His personal life is marked by a commitment to education and societal contribution, demonstrating leadership both on and off the field.","stb_internal_id":"019302de-75fe-77a5-a825-11d51da4765e","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Leon Christoph Goretzka, born on 6 February 1995, is a prominent German professional footballer known for his exceptional skills as a midfielder. Currently playing for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team, Goretzka has garnered widespread acclaim for his contributions on both club and international stages. Since his full international debut in 2014, he has earned over 50 caps for Germany and played in major tournaments such as the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020, and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the latter of which he won with his national team.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Leon Goretzka was born in Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, where he grew up in an environment nurturing his early interests in football. His father, Konrad, worked as an automotive and electrical engineer, while his mother, Katharina, was involved in business management and church activities. Goretzka pursued his education diligently, completing his Abitur at Alice-Salomon-Berufskolleg in Bochum. His family's supportive environment played a crucial role in his early development as a footballer.

Youth Career

Goretzka's football journey began at Werner SV 06 Bochum, where he joined in 1999. After two years, he transitioned to the youth setup of VfL Bochum in 2001, where he honed his skills and showcased his potential. His standout performances earned him the prestigious Fritz Walter Medal in Gold for the U17 category in 2012, highlighting his exceptional talent during his formative years.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

VfL Bochum

Leon Goretzka made his professional debut with VfL Bochum on 4 August 2012 in a 2. Bundesliga match against Dynamo Dresden at the rewirpowerSTADION. The 2012–13 season saw him become the team's standout performer as they narrowly avoided relegation.

Schalke 04

On 30 June 2013, Goretzka joined Schalke 04 for a transfer fee of €3.250 million. Over five seasons, he developed into a vital player, helping Schalke finish among the Bundesliga's top teams, including a second-place finish in the 2017–18 season.\nHe competed in notable matches like his 100th Bundesliga game against Borussia Dortmund. Following a successful stint, Goretzka announced his move to Bayern Munich in 2018.

Bayern Munich

Goretzka joined Bayern Munich on 1 July 2018. He quickly adapted to the new team and by the end of the 2018–19 season had won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal. Playing a crucial role in Bayern's midfield, Goretzka aided the team in achieving a treble in the 2019–20 season, which included winning the UEFA Champions League. He signed a contract extension with Bayern until 2026, emphasizing his importance to the club.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Goretzka's national team journey began with the Germany U-16 team in 2010, later captaining the U-17 team to the UEFA European Championship final in 2012.

Senior National Team

Goretzka made his senior debut on 13 May 2014 against Poland. Despite missing the 2014 World Cup due to injury, he shone in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, scoring three goals and playing key roles in pivotal matches, helping Germany secure the title. He was part of the squads for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2020, where his performances further highlighted his caliber as a formidable midfielder on the international stage.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Leon Goretzka is known for his versatility as a midfielder, capable of playing as a central, defensive, or right winger. Admired for his ball control, passing ability, and powerful shots, Goretzka excels in scoring from distance and employing his heading prowess to win aerial duels. Standing at 1.89 m, his physical presence and tactical intelligence have drawn comparisons to German legends Lothar Matthäus and Michael Ballack.

Performance Statistics

Club appearances for Bayern Munich: Over 200 matches
Bundesliga and Champions League goals: Numerous, contributing significantly in key matches

Records

Joint top scorer in the 2017 Confederations Cup
Integral part of Bayern Munich's treble-winning 2019–20 season

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Bundesliga titles: Multiple wins with Bayern Munich from 2018 to 2023
UEFA Champions League: 2019–20
FIFA Confederations Cup: 2017 with Germany

Individual Achievements

Fritz Walter Medal U17 Gold: 2012
UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2019–20
Bundesliga Team of the Season: Various instances including 2017–18 and 2020–21

Awards and Recognition

FIFA Confederations Cup Silver Boot: 2017\nReceived wide recognition for his critical contributions to both club and country over the years

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Leon Goretzka’s professional journey reflects his development into one of Germany's leading midfield talents. His contributions to Bayern Munich and Germany underline his significant impact on modern football, seamlessly combining athleticism with technical finesse.

Off the Field

Goretzka co-initiated the 'We Kick Corona' campaign with Joshua Kimmich to support COVID-19 relief efforts. An active voice against hate crimes, he has been involved in various initiatives to promote social justice and inclusion.

Personal Life

Leon maintains a balance between his sports career and personal interests, having founded businesses like a real estate firm. His personal life is marked by a commitment to education and societal contribution, demonstrating leadership both on and off the field.

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Leon Goretzka: Profile