Leon Goretzka has spoken of his emotional connection with Bayern Munich supporters as he prepares to depart the club at the end of his contract this summer. The German midfielder was given the honour of lifting the Bundesliga trophy after Saturday’s 5-1 victory over 1. FC Köln, with captain Manuel Neuer passing the responsibility to him. However, Goretzka revealed a separate moment with the club’s fans resonated even more deeply.
According to DPA, Goretzka described a particularly touching exchange with supporters in the south stand following the win. He stated that the words of encouragement he received demonstrated he remains a valued member of the Bayern family, expressing his pride at the experience. The 29-year-old is set to leave Bayern after eight years in Bavaria.
Goretzka arrived at Bayern from Schalke 04 in 2018, establishing himself as a key figure in midfield and winning seven consecutive Bundesliga titles. While a dominant force in domestic football, Goretzka’s time at Bayern has also seen Champions League disappointment, including semi-final exits in 2019, 2020, and 2021. He has made over 200 appearances for the club across all competitions, contributing goals and assists from midfield.
Bayern confirmed in January that Goretzka would be leaving when his contract expires, creating uncertainty around his future destination. Several top European clubs are expected to be interested in securing his services on a free transfer. His departure represents a significant change for Bayern’s midfield, as they look to rebuild under a new manager in the coming transfer windows.
Despite his impending exit, Goretzka still has one final match with Bayern – the DFB-Pokal final against VfB Stuttgart next Saturday. This will provide a final opportunity for the midfielder to contribute to the club’s success before embarking on the next chapter of his career. The outcome of the Pokal final could serve as a fitting send-off for a player who has consistently delivered for Bayern over the past eight seasons.
