No risk, no creativity: Leon Goretzka’s era at FC Bayern will probably not last longer than six months. It smells like goodbye.
Heidenheim – “The rounding off of an outstanding half-series” for the FC Bayern – One can only agree with Max Eberl’s conclusion after the 4-0 win against 1. FC Heidenheim in the last game of the year. The power and consistency of Vincent Kompany’s team is impressive.
Leon Goretzka before a quiet farewell to FC Bayern?
Many players played a part in the strong year of 2025. Also Leon Goretzka, who remained as professional as one could remain after being booted out last year. Many players would have given up, but not the Bochum player: little by little, he fought his way back to his place in the team and he deserves great respect for that.
He is no longer a regular player, but he still gets minutes. He rarely plays really bad games. Nevertheless, the past first half of the season suggests that there is probably no longer enough for a new contract with the Munich team. His contract expires in the summer and it smells like farewell.
In his best times, Goretzka knew how to dominate the midfield, scored goals and impressed with his dynamism with the ball. The latter seems to have largely been lost to him. You hardly see any dynamic advances from him or creative passes into the interfaces. Too often he slows down, chooses the safe cross pass and almost completely avoids risk.
During the week, the triple winner caused a stir when he deleted all Instagram photos related to Bayern. His body language also seemed resigned recently. It seems as if he knows that he has finally reached the crossroads. If you believe Spanish media reports, Atletico Madrid are said to have their eye on the 30-year-old – with his still strong physique, he would definitely fit into Diego Simeone’s team.
It will probably be a quiet farewell, Goretzka is not the type for public fanfare. Internally he doesn’t hide his opinion, externally he remains the worker from the Ruhr area. That’s why I can only hope that he ultimately gets the recognition he deserves.
Marius Epp reports from Heidenheim
