Benfica Lisbon
National Team
World Champion
German cup winner
Confederations Cup winner
German Super Cup winner
Trophée des Champions
Coupe de la Ligue
Coupe de France
1st Ligue
Gladbeck - my home
Gladbeck - Family city, sports city, my city - the current slogan of my hometown fits perfectly to my career.
BVR - my first club
Only 300 meters away from our apartment I wandered around with my first BV Rentfort football jersey at the age of five. I am still in contact with the club.
SSV Buer - the first step
I switched to SSV Buer at the age of just seven. I recommended myself for a trial training on Schalke in the game of the BEST GROUP against the S04 youth.
Schalke youth - my long way to the goal
I went through all U-teams of the S04 constantly learning something new. International tournaments against Barca, PSG and Arsenal were on the playing schedule at the time.
With the Westphalia selection to Africa
As part of the World Cup 2010 I left Europe for the first time and flew with the Westphalia selection to Namibia. I discovered my interest in foreign cultures on this trip.
Professional debut with S04 against the HSV
In the 83rd minute I was the youngest Schalke professional ever to substitute Ivan Rakitic against HSV. I was 17 years and 117 days young.
The shot to happiness - my first goal
Coming in as a substitute at the 116th minute with the score of 2:2 against the 1. FCN, I scored the winning goal 3 minutes later catapulting us into the DFB Cup semi-final.
CL semifinal against Man-U
Unfortunately, I have not made it past this point in the Champions League so far. Despite the disappointment of being eliminated I still like to look back on this moment.
First final, first title
I was able to contribute to turn the 1:0 to the 5:1 victory over MSV. We took the DFB cup back to Gelsenkirchen and celebrated with the fans.
My debut in the national team
The first national anthem with the eagle on my chest and my substitution for Poldi in the 62nd minute were indescribable moments.
My first serious injury
I broke my forearm in the 55th minute of the UEFA Champions League group game after scoring a goal for the final 2:2 draw.
My first Bundesliga brace
I scored my first brace in my 99th Bundesliga match for Schalke in a 4:1 victory in Wolfsburg. I contributed the 1:0 and 2:1 goals.
one hundred matches
100th Bundesliga game as the youngest player of all time - 2:1 derby victory - derby goal. Made this footballer's heart race - what more do you want?
Goal of the year with Señor Raùl
At the Señor's farewell match on Schalke Raùl and I succeeded in scoring THE goal of 2013 - a small thank you from me to my mentor.
Captain of the national team
On this day, I led the young national team in a test match against Poland as the youngest captain of all time. A great feeling!
My debut at the world championship
In the historic 7:1 victory against Brazil I had my first World Cup match. I am proud and grateful for every moment of this tournament.
WORLD CHAMPION 2014 in Brazil
Five days after my World Cup debut, I actually held the World Cup in my hands. What an honour to be part of DIE MANNSCHAFT!
1st Red Card as birthday gift
In the 50th minute I succeeded in scoring the 2:2 equalizer against Frankfurt with a header (!). 21 minutes later I saw the first red card of my career. Congratulations!
Weakness: Thigh
After just 4 minutes, I tore a thigh tendon in the home game against Augsburg. I was forced to be a spectator for almost six months.
Change to Wolfsburg
I decided to change to Wolfsburg during the summer transfer period of 2015, to develop myself further as a player and human outside of my comfort zone.
1st CL - Goal in new dress
At the beginning of the CL group phase we received CSKA Moscow. My first goal for VfL also meant a 1:0 winning goal.
Man of the Match in the round of 16
The "man of the match" award in the round of 16 against Slovakia is a nice reminder of the EM'16 despite being eliminated in the semi-finals.
Change to Paris Saint-Germain
I followed the call from France and signed my first contract outside the Bundesliga at Paris Saint-Germain in the winter of 16/17.
Historical elimination
This game is still one of my most painful sports experiences. After a 4:0 victory in the first leg in Paris, we were eliminated after losing 1:6 in Barcelona.
My first championship victory in Paris
In the final of the Coupe de la Ligue, we defeated the eventual champions AS Monaco 4:1 in Lyon. That meant my first title win with PSG.
Confed Cup winner 2017 & Player of the tournament
We won the Confed Cup with a 1:0 victory over Chile in the final. I owe it to a great team that I was later named "Player of the Tournament".
4 titles in my second season at PSG
We won four national titles - the championship, the Coupe de la Ligue, the Coupe de France and the French Super Cup - with PSG this season.
Participation in Russia 2018 world cup
At the moment I am 100% focussed on the World Cup in Russia. We want to defend the title!
A World Cup to forget
Unfortunately, losses are as much a part of a career as successes.
My 50th DFB game
I was able to reach this milestone in the European Championship qualifying match against Belarus.
My 50th Champions League game
In the preliminary round against Bruges I played my 50th CL game. Hopefully many more will follow...
My 100th game for Paris Saint-Germain
After roughly two years at Paris Saint GE, I played my 100th competitive game for PSG against Olympique Lyon.
French champion 2019
With a 3-1 win over Monaco with five game days to go, we aquired our second championship in a row.
#championsathome 2020
tbd
Champions League Final 2020
A new milestone in European club football for PSG and me. The close defeat against Bayern Munich is nevertheless painful (0:1).
Loan to Benfica
For the 2022/23 season, I will proudly wear the Benfica Lisbon jersey. I'm looking forward to this sporting challenge.