FIFA World Cup hero Mario Götze returns to international duty after five years without representing his country.
Aged 22 at the time, Götze scored deep into extra-time of the 2014 World Cup final to clinch a fourth world title for his native Germany and inscribe his name into World Cup folklore.
When Götze found the net in the 113th minute against Argentina, the world was at his feet. However, since then, his career hasn’t quite taken off quite like one might’ve hoped for. Now at the age of 30, he is braced for a return to the grandest stage in world sport.
(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
Götze has not donned Germany’s colours for exactly five years, having last represented Die Mannschaft in an international friendly against France in mid-November 2017. The former wonderkid has amassed 63 international caps, with 17 goals for his country.
One year prior to his World Cup heroics, Götze transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Klassiker rivals Bayern Munich. Post-2014 he wasn’t overly successful in Bavaria, with injury struggles hindering his ability to live up to the raised expectations, which culminated in the attacking midfielder returning to his boyhood club Dortmund just three years into his long-term deal with Bayern.
Dubbed the ‘prodigal son’, Götze returned to the club where it all began for him aged nine. His controversial switch to Bayern meant he tarnished his reputation with a large chunk of Dortmund supporters and it took a while for him to regain the support and respect of the club’s loyal fanbase. In only one season (2018/19) did Götze register direct goal involvements in double digits.
Götze did win five Bundesliga titles in the space of six years, first back-to-back championships with Dortmund and later three on the bounce at Bayern. He is also a four-time winner of the DFB-Pokal (German domestic cup).
Mario Gotze’s going to the World Cup ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NLWgVaoZLW
— GOAL (@goal) November 10, 2022
Götze was expected to etch his legacy among football’s greatest but he has been severely blighted by injury problems throughout his career, and we may never know just how much potential he truly possessed in his prime. Injuries and illness meant he missed more than 75 matches for Dortmund (across both spells) and he was unavailable for another 30 odd games with Bayern.
Götze did not receive an international call-up throughout his second stint at Dortmund. He saw out his four-year contract at the Westfalenstadion before pursuing new pastures outside of Germany, joining Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on a free transfer in 2020. His injury struggles followed him to the Netherlands, where he sat out another 29 matches during his two years at PSV.
This past summer Götze sealed a return to his homeland, signing a three-year deal with Europa League reigning champions Eintracht Frankfurt. Die Adler have progressed to the Champions League last-16, while in the Bundesliga they are 5 points off the pace set by Bayern.
Götze now returns to the Germany set-up after head coach Hansi Flick included the Frankfurt man in his squad that will take to Qatar shortly.
Götze’s long-time friend and former teammate Marco Reus has also been struck with rotten luck injury-wise, which has left the Dortmund captain unable to compete at a major tournament for a fifth time in his career. Reus missed each of the past three Euro events as well as the 2014 World Cup when Germany reigned supreme.
Reus has been out with ankle problems since mid-September and the 33-year-old has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup, which is likely to be the final showpiece of his injury-plagued playing career.
Also included in Germany’s World Cup squad is Dortmund youngster Youssoufa Moukoko who has emerged as a regular for his club this season. Born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the 17-year-old is uncapped at senior international level but he has notched nine goal involvements (six goals & three assists) in the Bundesliga this campaign.
Moukoko is the junior-most member of Germany’s squad but he is not their only teenager headed to Qatar. Bayern sensation Jamal Musiala, 19, is sure to be one of the brightest young players at the tournament and beyond, already with 17 caps for Die Mannschaft.
Germany are in Group E together with Costa Rica, Japan, and fellow heavyweights Spain. The 2022 World Cup officially gets underway on Sunday, November 20, and the knockout rounds commence December 3. The final is scheduled for December 18 at the Lusail Stadium.
Germany are 11.00 to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup. (Bet365)
𝐆𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐘 🇩🇪
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) November 10, 2022
Here it is – our 26-man squad for the 2022 @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar 🏆 pic.twitter.com/U3KGoU5lnz
