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Leon Goretzka

Goretzka with Bayern Munich in 2025

Personal information

Full name

Leon Christoph Goretzka

Date of birth

6 February 1995 (age 30)

Place of birth

Bochum, Germany

Height

1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)

Position(s)

Midfielder

Team information

Current team

Bayern Munich

Number

Youth career

1999–2001

Werner SV 06 Bochum

2001–2012

VfL Bochum

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps

(Gls)

2012–2013

VfL Bochum

(4)

2013–2018

Schalke 04

116

(14)

2015

Schalke 04 II

(0)

2018–

Bayern Munich

180

(35)

International career^‡

2010–2011

Germany U16

(2)

2011–2012

Germany U17

(5)

2012–2014

Germany U19

(0)

2013–2015

Germany U21

(1)

2016

Germany Olympic

(0)

2014–

Germany

(15)

Medal record

Summer Olympic Games

Representing Germany
Silver	2016 Rio de Janeiro	Team
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
	2012 Slovenia
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner	2017 Russia

*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:21, 17 May 2025 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:35, 8 June 2025 (UTC)

Leon Christoph Goretzka (born on February 6, 1995) is a German professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for Bayern Munich and the Germany national team.

Leon started his career with VfL Bochum in 2012. He then played over 100 games for Schalke 04. In 2018, he joined Bayern Munich. He has played more than 50 games for the German national team. He represented his country in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020. He also helped the Germany Olympic team win a silver medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

Leon Goretzka's Club Journey

Starting at VfL Bochum

Leon Goretzka began his football journey in 1999 with Werner SV 06 Bochum. After two years, he moved to VfL Bochum in 2001.

In July 2012, Leon received the prestigious 2012 under-17 Fritz Walter Medal in gold. This award recognizes top young German football talents. On August 4, 2012, he made his first professional appearance for Bochum. This was in a 2. Bundesliga match against Dynamo Dresden.

Leon had a great 2012–13 season with Bochum. He was a key player as his team managed to avoid being relegated from the 2. Bundesliga. During this time, many big clubs like Bayern Munich and Manchester United showed interest in him.

Moving to Schalke 04

On June 30, 2013, Schalke 04 announced that Leon Goretzka was joining their team. He signed a five-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be around €3.25 million.

First Season at Schalke (2013–14)

Goretzka training for Schalke 04 in 2013

Leon had a promising first season with Schalke. He scored five goals in 32 games across all competitions. He became a regular player in the second half of the season. He helped Schalke finish third in the Bundesliga. At the end of the season, he was called up to the German national team's preliminary squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played his first game for Germany in a friendly match against Poland.

Dealing with Injury (2014–15)

During the 2014–15 season, Leon played only 11 matches. This was due to a thigh injury. He returned to play in March 2015. Schalke finished in sixth place in the Bundesliga that season.

Back to Fitness (2015–16)

Goretzka training for Schalke 04 in 2015

In the 2015–16 season, Leon scored two goals in 34 games. He was fit at the start of the season. However, he faced some injuries later on. He also found out he had a chronic bowel inflammation. This affected his recovery. He changed his diet, cutting out certain foods. This helped him recover faster after games.

Best Season at Schalke (2016–17)

The 2016–17 season was Leon's best at Schalke. He played 41 matches and scored eight goals. He played in a more attacking role. In April, he got a concussion and a jaw injury during a game. He still played most of the match. Schalke finished 10th in the Bundesliga that season.

Final Season at Schalke (2017–18)

In the 2017–18 season, Leon played 29 matches and scored four goals. He missed over two months due to a leg injury. He helped Schalke finish second in the Bundesliga. This meant they qualified for the UEFA Champions League. In November 2017, he played his 100th Bundesliga game. This was against their rivals, Borussia Dortmund.

On January 19, 2018, Leon announced he would leave Schalke. He decided to join rivals Bayern Munich. This decision was not popular with Schalke fans and the club's board.

Joining Bayern Munich

First Trophies (2018–19)

Goretzka with Bayern Munich in 2019

On July 1, 2018, Leon officially joined Bayern Munich. He signed a four-year contract. His first game for Bayern was on August 12, 2018. He came on as a substitute in the DFL Super Cup. On September 1, he scored his first goal for the club. In January 2019, he scored two goals in a single Bundesliga game for the first time.

On May 18, 2019, Leon won his first Bundesliga title with Bayern. They finished two points ahead of Dortmund. A week later, he won his first DFB-Pokal (German Cup). Bayern beat RB Leipzig 3–0 in the final. Leon was injured and did not play in that match.

Treble Winner (2019–20)

On November 26, 2019, Leon scored his first Champions League goal. This was in a 6–0 win against Red Star Belgrade. He played a very important part in Bayern winning the treble. This means they won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. He often played in midfield with Joshua Kimmich. When another player got injured, Leon moved into a box-to-box midfielder role. He played in this role in the Champions League final.

Continued Success (2020–2024)

On September 24, 2020, Leon scored in the 2020 UEFA Super Cup. Bayern won 2–1 against Sevilla. In April 2021, he missed a Champions League game due to muscle problems. However, he still helped Bayern win his third straight Bundesliga title.

For the 2021–22 season, Leon took over the number 8 shirt. On August 17, 2021, he won the 2021 DFL-Super Cup with Bayern. A month later, he signed a new contract to stay at the club until 2026.

On October 12, 2022, he scored two goals in a Champions League match. This win helped Bayern qualify for the knockout stage. On January 24, 2024, he played his 200th game for Bayern.

Leon Goretzka's International Career

Youth Teams

On October 15, 2010, Leon played his first game for the Germany U-16 team. He scored in their 3–2 win. In August 2011, he debuted for the Germany U-17 team. In May 2012, he was the captain of the Germany U-17 team. He led them to the final of the 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He scored in the final, but the Netherlands won in a penalty shootout. In August 2013, he played his first game for the Germany U-21 team.

Leon was also contacted by the Poland national team. However, he declined the offer as he was not aware of any Polish background.

Olympic Team

Leon was part of the German squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. He captained Germany in their first match against Mexico. Unfortunately, he got a shoulder injury and had to leave the tournament early.

Senior National Team

On May 8, 2014, Leon was named in Germany's preliminary squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He made his senior team debut on May 13, 2014, in a 0–0 draw against Poland. After this match, he got a muscle injury. He was then removed from the final squad for the 2014 World Cup.

In May 2017, Leon was chosen for Germany's squad for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. On June 20, he scored his first goal for Germany in a 3–2 win against Australia. He scored two more goals against Mexico in the semi-finals. Leon ended up as one of the top scorers in the tournament with three goals. Germany won the competition, beating Chile in the final.

Goretzka with Germany in 2019

On June 4, 2018, Leon was included in Germany's final squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. He played his first World Cup game on June 27. Germany lost 2–0 to South Korea and was knocked out early. On May 19, 2021, he was selected for the UEFA Euro 2020 squad. He scored a crucial goal in the final group game against Hungary. This goal saved Germany from being eliminated. In November 2022, he was part of the German squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In May 2024, he was not selected for the UEFA Euro 2024 squad.

Leon Goretzka's Playing Style

Since 2013, Leon Goretzka has been seen as one of the most promising talents in German football. His former coach, Peter Neururer, called him the "talent of the century."

Leon is known for his powerful shots from outside the penalty area. He also has excellent heading ability, scoring many goals with his head. Standing at 1.89 meters (about 6 feet 2 inches) tall, he is great at winning aerial battles. He has good ball control and can make accurate passes to his teammates.

His main position is a central midfielder. However, he can also play as a defensive midfielder, a right winger, or a playmaker. Leon's playing style has often been compared to German football legends like Lothar Matthäus and Michael Ballack.

Leon Goretzka's Personal Life

Leon Goretzka was born in Bochum, Germany. He finished high school and graduated from a vocational school in Bochum. His father, Konrad, is an automotive and electrical engineer. His mother, Katharina, worked as a business manager.

In 2020, Leon and his Bayern Munich teammate Joshua Kimmich started an online project called "We Kick Corona." This initiative helps charities and medical groups during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leon is also an activist against hate and misinformation. He has visited the Dachau Holocaust memorial. He also met with a Holocaust survivor. He has spoken out against political parties that spread hate or deny historical events. He believes it is important to stand up for what is right.

Besides football, Leon has also invested in a marketing company. In August 2020, he started a real estate company. His girlfriend manages this business.

Career Statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club	Season	League			DFB-Pokal		Europe		Other		Total
Club	Season	Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
VfL Bochum	2012–13	2. Bundesliga	32	4	4	0	—		—		36	4
Schalke 04	2013–14	Bundesliga	25	4	2	1	5	0	—		32	5
	2014–15	Bundesliga	10	0	0	0	1	0	—		11	0
	2015–16	Bundesliga	25	1	2	1	7	0	—		34	2
	2016–17	Bundesliga	30	5	2	0	9	3	—		41	8
	2017–18	Bundesliga	26	4	3	0	—		—		29	4
	Total		116	14	9	2	22	3	—		147	19
Schalke 04 II	2014–15	Regionalliga West	1	0	—		—		—		1	0
Bayern Munich	2018–19	Bundesliga	30	8	5	1	6	0	1	0	42	9
	2019–20	Bundesliga	24	6	5	1	8	1	1	0	38	8
	2020–21	Bundesliga	24	5	0	0	7	2	1	1	32	8
	2021–22	Bundesliga	19	3	1	0	6	0	1	0	27	3
	2022–23	Bundesliga	27	3	4	1	8	2	0	0	39	6
	2023–24	Bundesliga	30	6	1	0	10	0	1	0	42	6
	2024–25	Bundesliga	26	4	2	0	12	1	3	1	43	6
	Total		180	35	18	3	58	6	8	2	264	46
Career total			329	53	31	5	80	9	8	2	511	69

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Germany	2014	1	0
	2015	0	0
	2016	2	0
	2017	9	6
	2018	7	0
	2019	6	5
	2020	4	1
	2021	12	2
	2022	7	0
	2023	9	0
	2025	4	1
Total		61	15

As of match played 20 March 2025. Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Goretzka goal.

List of international goals scored by Leon Goretzka
No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	19 June 2017	Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia	Australia	3–1	3–2	2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
2	29 June 2017	Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia	Mexico	1–0	4–1	2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
3	29 June 2017	Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia	Mexico	2–0	4–1	2017 FIFA Confederations Cup
4	4 September 2017	Mercedes-Benz Arena, Stuttgart, Germany	Norway	5–0	6–0	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
5	8 October 2017	Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern, Germany	Azerbaijan	1–0	5–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
6	8 October 2017	Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern, Germany	Azerbaijan	4–1	5–1	2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
7	20 March 2019	Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany	Serbia	1–1	1–1	Friendly
8	11 June 2019	Opel Arena, Mainz, Germany	Estonia	3–0	8–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
9	16 November 2019	Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany	Belarus	2–0	4–0	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
10	19 November 2019	Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany	Northern Ireland	2–1	6–1	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
11	19 November 2019	Waldstadion, Frankfurt, Germany	Northern Ireland	5–1	6–1	UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying
12	10 October 2020	NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv, Ukraine	Ukraine	2–0	2–1	2020–21 UEFA Nations League A
13	25 March 2021	MSV-Arena, Duisburg, Germany	Iceland	1–0	3–0	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
14	23 June 2021	Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany	Hungary	2–2	2–2	UEFA Euro 2020
15	20 March 2025	San Siro, Milan, Italy	Italy	2–1	2–1	2024–25 UEFA Nations League A