23-year-old Leon Goretzka has played his entire professional career (5 years) for Shalke in Germany, but come July 1 Goretzka will transfer to the elite (and richer) Bayern Munich club. The move was announced way back in January, and Goretzka played out his time in Shalke’s royal blue in good form — he notably had the added incentive of trying to make the German national team for this summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Talking about joining Bayern, where he’ll face stiff competition for playing time in a midfield packed with talent, Goretzka told the media present for his last Shalke game: “When you join a club like Bayern, you have to believe in yourself.” He does and his final season at Shalke only increased his confidence, as the team had a successful campaign and gave Goretzka a great send-off. Bundesliga asked him if he cried, as he predicted he would on the last day. Goretzka replied: “I was really trying not to, but my eyes were certainly a little bit wet. It was very emotional at the end when they showed the film on the video cube. We’ve really been through everything together.”
Phenoms premieres Friday, May 25 at 8pm on FOX. The Phenoms episode “Attackers” will re-air Sunday, May 27 at 8:30pm on FS1. The Phenoms episode “Defenders” will re-air Sunday, May 27 at 9:30pm on FS1.
