Jérôme Boateng facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Jérôme Boateng

Boateng training with Bayern Munich in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Jérôme Agyenim Boateng
Date of birth	(1988-09-03) 3 September 1988 (age 36)
Place of birth	West Berlin, West Germany
Height	1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	LASK
Number	17
Youth career
1994–2002	Tennis Borussia Berlin
2002–2006	Hertha BSC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2007	Hertha BSC II	24	(1)
2007	Hertha BSC	10	(0)
2007–2010	Hamburger SV	75	(0)
2010–2011	Manchester City	16	(0)
2011–2021	Bayern Munich	229	(5)
2021–2023	Lyon	32	(0)
2024	Salernitana	7	(0)
2024–	LASK	9	(0)
International career‡
2004–2005	Germany U17	4	(1)
2005–2007	Germany U19	17	(2)
2007–2009	Germany U21	15	(1)
2009–2018	Germany	76	(1)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Winner 2014 Brazil Third 2010 South Africa UEFA European Championship Bronze 2012 Poland–Ukraine UEFA European Under-21 Championship Winner 2009 Sweden
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 June 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13 October 2018

Jérôme Agyenim Boateng (born on September 3, 1988) is a German professional footballer. He plays as a Centre-back for the Austrian club LASK.

Boateng began his football journey at Hertha BSC, moving up from their youth teams to the main squad. After playing for Hertha, he joined Hamburger SV. There, he became a key player, helping the club reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals twice.

He then played for Manchester City for one season. In 2011, he moved to Bayern Munich. With Bayern, he won many important titles, including the continental treble in the 2012–13 and 2019–20 seasons. After his contract with Bayern ended in 2021, he joined Lyon. Later, he played for Salernitana in Italy.

Jérôme Boateng was part of the Germany U21 team that won the 2009 Euro U-21 Championship. He then joined the senior national team. He played over 70 games for Germany. He represented his country in the UEFA Euro 2012, Euro 2016, 2010 World Cup, 2014 World Cup, and 2018 World Cup. He was a very important player when Germany won the 2014 World Cup.

He is the younger half-brother of another professional footballer, Kevin-Prince Boateng.

Club Career Highlights

Starting His Football Journey

Jérôme Boateng started playing football with the youth team of Tennis Borussia Berlin. In 2002, he moved to Hertha BSC to continue his training.

Playing for Hertha BSC

Boateng played for Hertha's reserve team for two seasons. He scored one goal in nine games during the 2005–06 season. He also played 15 games in the 2006–07 season. On January 31, 2007, he was called up to the first team. He made his debut against Hannover 96 in the 2006–07 Bundesliga season. Even though he was only 18, he quickly became a regular player for the first team. He played 11 games for Hertha's first team in the 2006–07 season.

Time at Hamburger SV

Boateng with Hamburger SV in 2009

On August 22, 2007, Boateng joined Hamburger SV for about €1.1 million. He had two successful years at Hamburg. He became a key part of the team's defense in the 2008–09 season. During his time there, Hamburg competed for the Bundesliga title. They also reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League in both his years at the club. He played 37 games in the 2007–08 season and 35 games in the 2008–09 season. In the 2009–10 season, his strong performances helped him join the Germany national team. He earned a spot in the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He finished the 2009–10 season with one goal in 41 appearances.

Moving to Manchester City

On June 5, 2010, Premier League club Manchester City announced that Boateng was joining them. He signed a five-year deal for £10.4 million and wore his favorite number 17 shirt. He played his first game for City in a friendly match against Valencia. He played both as a centre-back and a right-back.

Before the 2010–11 Premier League season began, Boateng got injured while playing for Germany. He tore a tendon in his left knee. He made his official debut for Manchester City as a substitute on September 25, 2010, in a 1–0 win against Chelsea. He then started his first competitive game in a Europa League draw against Juventus. In his one season with City, Boateng played 24 games. He also won the 2010–11 FA Cup, even though he was not in the squad for the final match.

Success at Bayern Munich

Joining Bayern in 2011

Boateng (right) playing for Bayern in the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final

In June 2011, Boateng wanted to leave Manchester City to join Bayern Munich. He believed playing for Bayern would help him play more often for the German national team. He was also frustrated playing mostly as a right-back at City.

On July 14, 2011, Bayern confirmed Boateng's transfer for €13.5 million. He signed a four-year deal and received the number 17 shirt. He played his first game for Bayern on July 27, 2011, in the 2011 Audi Cup against Milan. His Bundesliga debut for Bayern was on August 6, in a 0–1 home loss to Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bayern finished the 2011–12 season as runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. Boateng played in the finals of the latter two tournaments. He made 48 appearances that season.

Winning the Treble in 2013

Boateng playing for Bayern Munich in 2012

During the 2012–13 season, Boateng was a regular player for Bayern. The team won a historic treble: the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. They also won the DFL-Supercup at the start of the season. On December 5, 2012, Boateng received a red card against BATE Borisov, which led to a two-match ban. He scored his first Bundesliga goal on March 9, 2013, with a header that secured a 3–2 home win against Fortuna Düsseldorf. He scored another goal on April 13, in a 5–0 home win over 1. FC Nürnberg. He scored two goals in 40 appearances during the 2012–13 season.

Continued Success (2013-2016)

On October 2, 2013, Boateng received a red card against his former club Manchester City in the Champions League. His only league goal of the season was on November 9, in a 3–0 home win over FC Augsburg. He extended his contract with Bayern until 2018 on December 11. Bayern won the domestic double of the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal that season. He scored one goal in 43 appearances.

On September 17, 2014, Boateng scored his first European goal for Bayern in the 2014–15 Champions League season. It was the only goal in a group stage match against Manchester City. He scored again in a 7–0 Champions League win against Shakhtar Donetsk on March 11, 2015. He also scored in a 6–1 quarter-final win over Porto on April 21. He finished the 2014–15 season with three goals in 44 appearances.

Boateng started the 2015–16 season by playing in the German Super Cup. On December 18, he signed a new contract with Bayern, keeping him at the club until 2021. He played 31 games during the 2015–16 season.

Later Years at Bayern (2016-2021)

On December 20, 2016, Boateng suffered a muscle injury and was out for almost three months. He returned on March 11, 2017, in a 3–0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. He finished the 2016–17 season with 21 appearances.

On September 13, 2017, Boateng returned to play after 115 days. He provided an assist in a 3–0 Champions League win over Anderlecht. On December 21, Boateng scored a header in a 2–1 win against Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal. On January 27, 2018, he scored his first league goal since November 2013 in a 5–2 victory over 1899 Hoffenheim. He made his 250th appearance for the club on March 10, in a 6–0 win over Hamburg. On April 11, Boateng played his 100th European game in the Champions League against Sevilla. He finished the 2017–18 season with two goals in 31 appearances.

Boateng started the 2018–19 season without injuries. He played every minute of Bayern's first three Bundesliga matches. He won his seventh straight Bundesliga title on May 18, 2019. A week later, he won his fourth DFB-Pokal as Bayern beat RB Leipzig 3–0 in the final. He played 28 games that season without scoring.

On December 14, 2019, Boateng played his 300th game for Bayern against Werder Bremen. He became a regular starter again, often playing with David Alaba. He performed very well and helped Bayern win their second continental treble.

On November 3, 2020, Boateng scored his first goal of the 2020–21 season in a 6–2 Champions League win over Red Bull Salzburg. In April 2021, Bayern announced that Boateng's contract would not be extended.

Playing for Lyon

On September 1, 2021, Boateng joined Ligue 1 club Lyon for free. He signed a contract until June 30, 2023. On June 9, 2023, Lyon confirmed that Boateng left the club after his contract ended.

Time at Salernitana

On February 2, 2024, Boateng signed with Salernitana in Italy. He played for them until the end of the 2023–24 season. He became a free agent after the season ended.

Joining LASK

On May 31, 2024, Boateng joined the Austrian team LASK. He signed a contract that will keep him at the club until 2026.

International Career

Boateng lining up for Germany with Mario Götze (left) and Mesut Özil (right) before a match in 2011

Boateng played for the German under-17 and under-19 national teams. On July 5, 2007, he was called up to the German under-19 squad for the 2007 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.

He also played for the Germany under-21 team and won the 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. He made his debut for the Germany senior team on October 10, 2009, against Russia. He received a second yellow card in the second half of that game. Despite this, he was regularly called up to the team afterward.

Boateng challenging Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during a UEFA Euro 2012 group stage match

2010 FIFA World Cup Journey

Boateng was chosen for Joachim Löw's 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

On June 23, 2010, Boateng played for Germany against his half-brother, Kevin-Prince, who played for Ghana. Germany won the game 1–0. This was the first time two brothers played on opposite teams at a FIFA World Cup.

Boateng started in games where Germany beat England 4–1 and Argentina 4–0. He also played in the 1–0 loss to Spain in the semi-final. Boateng played in the third-place game against Uruguay. He helped Germany win 3–2 by assisting Marcell Jansen's goal, securing third place for Germany.

UEFA Euro 2012 Performance

Boateng was part of Germany's 23-man squad for Euro 2012. He played as a right-back in four of Germany's five matches. Germany reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by Italy.

Winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Fred and Boateng battling for the ball in the 2014 World Cup semi-final between Brazil and Germany

Boateng and his brother played against each other again four years later at the next World Cup. Ghana and Germany were in the same group once more. On July 8, 2014, Boateng played the entire match when Germany famously defeated Brazil 7–1 in the semi-final.

On July 13, 2014, Boateng won the 2014 World Cup with Germany. They beat Argentina 1–0 in the final. He played a very important role in Germany's victory in the final. He won many of his challenges and made several good tackles. Many media sources called him the man of the match.

UEFA Euro 2016 and Beyond

On June 13, 2016, Boateng made a crucial goal-line clearance that stopped Ukraine from scoring. Germany won that match 2–0. On June 26, Boateng scored his first international goal in the round of 16 match against Slovakia. He opened the scoring with a long-range volley in the 3–0 victory. On July 8, Boateng had to leave the game due to a thigh muscle injury during the semi-final match against France. Germany lost that game 2–0.

Boateng was also part of a special collaboration between the German Football Association and The LEGO Group. In May 2016, they released a collectible minifigure series in Europe, and Boateng was featured as one of the minifigures.

2018 FIFA World Cup and National Team Changes

Boateng was named in Joachim Löw's final 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on June 4, 2018. On June 23, Boateng received a second yellow card and was sent off during Germany's second group stage match against Sweden. Germany still won that game 2–1. He was the first German player to be sent off in a World Cup match since 2010. Because of this, he missed Germany's 0–2 loss to South Korea, which led to their elimination from the tournament.

On March 5, 2019, national team coach Joachim Löw announced that he would no longer include Boateng in his future plans.

Playing Style

Jérôme Boateng is a very flexible defender. He mainly plays as a centre-back, but he can also play as a right-back. He is physically strong and calm when he has the ball. He is known for being a tough-tackling defender. He also has good passing skills and can read the game well. Even though some people thought he made mistakes when he was younger, he later became known as one of the best players in his position in the world.

Personal Life

Boateng in 2017

Jérôme Boateng is a Ghanaian German. He was born in Berlin to a German mother and a Ghanaian father. He is the younger half-brother of professional footballer Kevin-Prince Boateng. He also has an older brother, George, who played for youth teams but did not become a professional player.

Boateng has twin daughters with Sherin Senler. He also has a son born in 2015. He is engaged to Rebecca Silvera.

Career Statistics

Club Appearances

International Appearances

Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Boateng goal

List of international goals scored by Jérôme Boateng

No.	Date	Venue	Cap	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	26 June 2016	Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France	63	Slovakia	1–0	3–0	UEFA Euro 2016

Football Achievements

Manchester City

• FA Cup: 2010–11

Bayern Munich

• Bundesliga: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
• DFB-Pokal: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2015–16, 2018–19, 2019–20
• DFL-Supercup: 2012, 2020
• UEFA Champions League: 2012–13, 2019–20
• UEFA Super Cup: 2013, 2020
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2013, 2020

Germany U21

• UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2009

Germany

• FIFA World Cup: 2014; third place: 2010

Individual Awards

• Fritz Walter Medal U19 Bronze: 2007
• Silbernes Lorbeerblatt: 2010, 2014
• Classification as world class in the kicker Ranking of German Football: Winter 2014/15, Winter 2015/16, Summer 2016
• Bundesliga Team of the Season: 2014–15, 2015–16
• kicker Defender of the Year [de]: 2014–15, 2015–16
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2016
• Germany Footballer of the year: 2015–16
• Moses Mendelssohn Prize [de]: 2016
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2016

See also

In Spanish: Jérôme Boateng para niños