'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgf/2gAIAQEAAAAAj5v/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAE/9oACAECEAAAAH//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAB//xAAeEAADAAEEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAUhYQYRE//aAAgBAQABPwDxrfYYeHGEgiZFmJ+zgsxHCleuQD761fbcul6OuJFgzEglxzr/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIT/9oACAECAQE/AM1Uyz//xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABADH/2gAIAQMBAT8Axb//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Leon Goretzka is one of the hottest prospects in Europe this season and with the January transfer window open, rumours linking the midfielder with a move to several European giants have been rife. Recent reports in Bild and Marca suggested that Goretzka has already signed a pre-agreement with Bayern Munich. However, Schalke CEO Christian Heidel and Bayern manager Jupp Heynckes have all denied the reports with Goretzka's agent Jörg Neubauer revealed to Sport1, "When a decision has been made, Leon and I will first inform Schalke."
Things took another exciting turn yesterday when Goretzka's social media activity sparked further rumours. The German star 'liked' an Instagram video by Visubal. The clip showed Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp punching the air in delight, accompanied with the caption: "Jürgen Klopp Passion!"
So, who is Leon Goretzka, the midfielder courted by Bayern, Liverpool and even Barcelona a few weeks back? I decided to take a low-down on the Schalke star and chalk out five things you probably didn't know about German star.
#5 Goretzka holds a season ticket with his hometown club
Leon Goretzka may be on the cusp of a move to one of the European heavyweights but that doesn't stop the German from religiously following his childhood club VfL Bochum. Growing up in the Ruhr area, five minutes away from the club premises, Goretzka still holds a season ticket with the club he first followed as a fan, before joining at the age of six and, debuting at 17.
What about his time at the club? How good was he? Those who watched him closely, have only words of praise for the youngster.
"I have never seen an 18-year-old who has so much class and desire. The boy will be one of the world's best!" former Bochum sporting director and Hamburg's current director Jens Todt said.
"He's Germany's biggest talent in 50 years," added an effusive Peter Neururer, Bochum's manager at the time.
“He was the best young player of Bochum, because of his talent but also of his down to earth attitude, so we are very proud of him,” former club captain Marcel Malritz said.
#4 He helped Bochum avoid relegation
Following his impressive performances at the U-17 European Championship in 2012, Bochum rewarded Goretzka with a new five-year contract and a first-team debut. While the scenario wasn't idle as Die Unabsteigbaren spent the season in the lower half of 2. Bundesliga, battling relegation, it proved to be an important step in young Goretzka's career path as regular first-team exposure paved the way for Schalke the following season.
He ended that campaign with 32 appearances under his belt, scoring four goals and assisting five as Bochum finished 14th - one point and two places above the relegation zone.
Last December, while receiving an award from German TV ARD for Goal of the Month, Goretzka admitted that he owed a debt of gratitude to Bochum for where he is today. In response, the club published a letter thanking him instead for his services and stating if anybody owes anything, it is they to Goretzka. The club also explained that his move to Schalke came "at a time when we were in a serious financial crisis", thanking him for "almost single-handedly saving Bochum from extinction" and wishing him a great career ahead.
As a courtesy, Bochum even invited Goretzka to join the club at the end of his career, if he fancied the option.
#3 Goretzka values his academic education
During his primary years at Schalke, Goretzka kept his focus on the academic career, studying for his Abitur (High school diploma/A-Levels) and completing his graduation from Alice-Salomon-Vocational School in Bochum.
The A-Levels are not compulsory in Germany but Goretzka insisted on completing it as he did "not want to be the black sheep" of the family.
All of Goretzka's siblings have studied all the way through college and Goretzka believes having his Abitur could open future career paths when he decides to hang up his boots.
#2 He attributes his leadership skills to his father
Prior to the current season, Leon Goretzka was appointed Schalke's vice-captain with the captaincy duties being handed to goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann. Goretzka's towering performances in midfield has ensured Schalke spend the winter break in second-place in the league table, with a two-point lead over third-placed Borussia Dortmund.
So, who does he attribute his leadership skills to? His father.
Konrad Goretzka is an electrical and automobile engineer at German car company Opel. "He led a team, and he told me about the conflicts and how he solved them," Goretzka said. "You might not be able to transfer it to football one to one, but it helped my soft skills a lot."
#1 Goretzka changed his dietary plans to prolong his fitness levels
Goretzka's early years at Schalke were plagued by injuries. A muscle injury kept him sidelined for 220 days from July 2014 to March 2015. Ligament damage and illness, among others, meant that Goretzka missed 46 of Schalke's all league games prior to the last season. However, he decided to take matters in his own hand and consulted a nutritionist.
"I was diagnosed with a chronic bowel inflammation, which had been having a negative impact on my ability to recover from games. It was caused by different foods," Goretzka said in an interview with German magazine 11 Freunde last year.
"I completely changed what I eat.
"I've stopped eating gluten, cow’s milk, pork and nuts. As a result, I have fewer issues with my health and can recover from a game much quicker."
The results were seen instantly as Goretzka went on to play 30 of Schalke's 34 league games last season. This season too, he has been a regular presence in the midfield and missed only a handful of games.
