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Leon Goretzka has emerged as a serious summer target for AC Milan, and there are a few reasons as to why his name is attracting attention.
When Milan signed Luka Modric in the most recent summer window, it was partly because of the standards that the management knew he would set. Much of the same applies to Goretzka, as La Gazzetta dello Sport write, even if he isn’t quite as decorated.
Sporting director Igli Tare wants to sign the Germany international as he is convinced he’ll enrich Massimiliano Allegri’s squad. Goretzka would bring experience, intelligence, muscle (plenty of it) and quality in his eyes.
Rise to stardom
Born in Bochum on February 6, 1995, he grew up with his older sisters Laura, Luisa, and Charlotte. Always close to his family, he continued to live at home with his parents even when he was already at the top of his game.
In 2018, he participated in the World Cup (with Germany, who for the first time in history, exited in the group stage), and he made no secret of the fact that he had bought an apartment next to his parents. “I have to say that after such a bitter disappointment, it’s good to have my loved ones around.”
Leon began playing for Werner SV 06 Bochum at the age of four. In 2001, he moved to Bochum, where he remained until he reached the first team. While still a minor, he made his debut in the second division in 2012.
In his first season, he finished with an impressive nine goals and assists. In the summer of 2013 he moved to Schalke for just over 3 million, where, despite often being injured, he quickly became one of the team’s most important players.
Despite becoming Schalke’s vice-captain, he decided in 2018 to leave Gelsenkirchen to join Bayern on a free transfer. “I want to win,” he said openly. He succeeded: in total, he won six league titles in Bavaria and, among other things, the 2020 Champions League.
In the final part of the 2022-23 season, Goretzka was no longer considered by then-manager Thomas Tuchel, mostly coming on as a substitute during the match. His lowest point came in Cologne: that day, Bayern won the league, but he was brought on as a substitute and then taken off after just 14 minutes.
In his early years at Bayern, Goretzka would stay after every match to speak to journalists. During that period, he significantly reduced his presence in the mixed zone to avoid questions about his present and future.
He hasn’t had an easy time, but he rolled up his sleeves and tried to reclaim the shirt he had lost. He proved, not only to Bayern but also to the national team, that he was still useful. The club thought about offloading him multiple times, especially with his €15m gross per year salary.
Unlike some of his teammates, Goretzka has never wanted to consider lowering his salary, which is why it’s unthinkable for him to continue with Bayern beyond June, when he’ll be released. It also provides an obstacle for Milan too, though.
A private man
Goretzka doesn’t share much personal information on social media. He’s been engaged to Mathea Fischer (a girl from Gelsenkirchen) for years: the two have often been seen together at the stadium, but they never post photos of themselves online.
After the difficulties he encountered with Thomas Tuchel, Goretzka showed up to training camp in the summer of 2023 with a lot less hairs. Many believe this was a symptom of the stress he’d been experiencing, but he never wanted to fuel the rumours.
During Covid, he trained extensively, mostly in his private gym. He reportedly gained almost 10 kilos of muscle (so much so that he’s nicknamed ‘Captain America’), which also changed his playing style.
He’s primarily positioned in front of the defence, but can also play as a box-to-box player, or even at centre-back in an emergency. The strength (mental and physicality), experience, resilience and versatility have ticked the boxes for Milan.
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