The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsThe beginning: Boy wonder
Mario Goetze is no stranger when it comes to dealing with the sheer weight of expectation hurled onto his young shoulders. Ever since rising through the ranks at Dortmund as a teenager, Goetze was identified as the man to lead Germany to another World Cup triumph, and many believed that the sky would be the limit for the bright eyed kid from Bavaria.
In fact, Goetze’s talent was spotted several years before joining Dortmund. As a 5 year old, Goetze and his older brother Fabian, trained for SC Ronsberg – a small local club – and despite being at least 2 years younger than any other player there, he stood out from the rest. As his first football coach, Helmut Albat, recollects: “the way he had the ball glued to his feet, and played others in on goal; at five years old that’s when you know you have someone special!”
After his father got a job at Dortmund’s technical University as a professor, Goetze began making a name for himself at local club FC Eintracht Hombruch, and again his talent was immediately recognised by coach Michael Jaeger. “The way he played was just perfect. Even after 15 years, I can safely say I have never come across a player as good as Mario” said Jaeger, and so before his professional career even took off, Goetze was well on his way to greatness.
Fast forward 11 years, and Goetze was proclaimed the “German Messi” – a title which has since stayed with him – and labelled “the greatest player Germany has ever had”. With several domestic honours under his belt for Dortmund, as well as several personal accolades, most noticeably the “European Golden Boy” given to the best U23 player in Europe, Mario Goetze was sending shock-waves through Europe.
3 years later, he becomes a World Champion.
So far so very good for boy wonder!
