Leon Goretzka will leave FC Bayern this summer, but he won’t be able to decide what happens next until after the World Cup
Leon Goretzka’s departure from FC Bayern could hardly have been more emotional. After eight years in Munich, the 31-year-old will leave the German record champions in the summer – and say goodbye with the double
The midfielder’s contract, which expires at the end of June, will not be extended. Goretzka, who moved to the Isar from FC Schalke 04 on a free transfer in 2018, is thus ending a formative chapter in his career
It is not yet clear what the 31-year-old will do next – and a decision is likely to be a while in coming. He made this clear to BILD after the cup final: „I really don’t know yet. It hasn’t been decided yet.“ He also did not rule out a decision after the World Cup: „I wouldn’t want to commit myself to that. Let’s see.“
Goretzka has recently been heavily linked with AC Milan, while Atlético Madrid and English clubs are also said to have the midfielder on their radar. No wonder: a transfer-free double winner, who is also an elementary part of the German national team, arouses desire
Goretzka enjoys his last Bayern moments
After the 3-0 win in the DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart, the Bochum-born player was one of the most conspicuous celebrators on the night of the Munich double
In an interview with BILD, the still-Bayern star spoke openly about his emotional state afterwards. „It was a very nice finish. There were a few goosebump moments,“ explained Goretzka after the triumph in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium
The international made it clear that he had consciously soaked up the celebrations. „I also withdrew from the celebrations a little at times. I just wanted to enjoy it and watch it. It was something very special,“ Goretzka continued
He was particularly impressed by the atmosphere in the stands and the support of the Bayern fans. „It’s a completely different atmosphere here in the stadium. What the fans tore down again today was also very, very cool. It was great fun,“ emphasised the 31-year-old
Goretzka confident about Bayern’s future
It was Munich’s first DFB Cup win in six years, and the relief was correspondingly great when they lifted the trophy. In the Champions League, however, they were eliminated in the semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain
Nevertheless, Goretzka believes that this team can achieve even more in the future. He told BILD: „Of course I wish the team the best. This season, everyone actually had the feeling that the really big thing was possible.“
The outgoing Bayern professional is convinced that the current path under Kompany is promising. „To be honest, I have no doubt that if the team stays like this and, above all, the coach continues to do his thing, that this will be achievable for us again,“ Goretzka explained.