Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mario Götze

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Mario Götze made an impact.

Mario Götze is a German professional footballer currently playing for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. Primarily an attacking or central midfielder, he's also versatile, capable of playing as a winger or false nine. Götze is known for his technical skills, agility, and playmaking abilities.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

October 1954: First Goal for Germany

On 10 August 2011, Götze scored his first goal for Germany against Brazil, becoming the joint-youngest goalscorer for the Germany national team in the post-war era along with Klaus Stürmer, who scored on debut against France on 16 October 1954.

1966: 2014 FIFA World Cup Participation

In the World Cup final against Argentina, German Manager Joachim Löw substituted 36-year-old Miroslav Klose after 88 minutes with Götze and told him, "Show the world you are better than Messi and can decide the World Cup." Götze scored the only goal of the match in the 113th minute, controlling André Schürrle's cross on his chest before volleying the ball into the net, giving Germany their fourth World Cup. He became the first substitute to score a World Cup winning goal, and the youngest player to score in a World Cup Final since fellow German Wolfgang Weber in 1966, who was also 22. Götze was also named the Man of the Match.

November 2009: Bundesliga Debut

On November 21, 2009, Götze made his Bundesliga debut in a scoreless draw against Mainz 05, coming on as a substitute.

2009: Joins Borussia Dortmund

In 2009, Mario Götze began playing for Borussia Dortmund.

November 2010: First Senior Match for Germany

In November 2010, specifically on the 17th, Götze was called up for his first senior match for Germany against Sweden and made his debut, substituting for Kevin Großkreutz in a goalless draw, becoming the youngest German international since Uwe Seeler.

2010: Promoted to First Team

During the winter break of the 2009–10 Bundesliga season, Dortmund manager Jürgen Klopp promoted Götze to the first team in 2010. Also in 2010, Matthias Sammer described Götze as "one of the best talents Germany has ever had."

2010: First Selected for German National Team

In 2010, at the age of 18, Götze was first selected for the Germany national football team.

February 2011: Second Appearance for Germany

In February 2011, specifically on the 9th, Götze made his second appearance for the German national team in a friendly match against Italy.

August 2011: First Goal for Germany

On 10 August 2011, Götze scored his first goal for Germany against Brazil, becoming the joint-youngest goalscorer for the Germany national team in the post-war era.

2011: Played in German Super Cup

In 2011, Götze played in the 2011 German Super Cup' losing to Schalke 04.

March 2012: Signed New Contract with Dortmund

On March 27, 2012, Götze signed a new contract with Borussia Dortmund, keeping him at Dortmund until 2016. The contract contained a release clause with a minimum transfer fee of €37 million.

April 2012: Return to Squad After Injury

In April 2012, Götze returned to the squad after a hip injury, and he played his first game since the injury as a substitute against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

May 2012: Inclusion in UEFA Euro 2012 Squad

On 28 May 2012, Götze was included in the 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2012 and made his tournament debut in a 4–2 victory against Greece.

2012: Lost German Super Cup and Scored Winner Against Werder Bremen

In 2012, Götze lost the German Super Cup. However, on the first day of the 2012–13 season, he scored the winner against Werder Bremen. Later, on December 19, he netted a hat-trick against Hannover 96 in the DFB-Pokal.

2012: Included in UEFA Euro Squad

In 2012, Götze was included in the squad for UEFA Euro 2012.

March 2013: Goal and Assist Against Shakhtar Donetsk

On 5 March 2013, Götze provided an assist and scored a goal in Dortmund's 3–0 second leg defeat of Shakhtar Donetsk, and was ruled out of the final against Bayern Munich due to a thigh injury.

April 2013: €37 million bid from Bayern Munich triggered

In April 2013, a €37 million bid from Bayern Munich triggered a release clause in Götze's contract, making him the second-most expensive German player at the time.

April 2013: Announcement of Move to Bayern Munich

On 23 April 2013, it was announced that Götze would move to Bayern Munich on 1 July 2013, after Bayern triggered his release clause of €37 million. Dortmund coach Jürgen Klopp claimed that Götze's transfer was due to his wish to play under Pep Guardiola.

July 2013: Moved to Bayern Munich

On 23 April 2013, it was announced that Götze was moving on 1 July 2013 to rivals Bayern Munich after the team had triggered Götze's release clause of €37 million.

August 2013: Bayern Munich Debut

On 11 August 2013, Götze made his Bayern Munich debut, coming on as a substitute. He made his league debut for the club in a Bundesliga home match against 1. FC Nürnberg on 24 August, which Bayern won 2–0.

October 2013: First Competitive Goal for Bayern

On 23 October 2013, Götze scored his first competitive goal for Bayern in a Champions League win over Viktoria Plzeň. On 26 October 2013, he scored his first Bundesliga goal for Bayern Munich in a win against Hertha BSC.

January 2014: First Goal of the Second Half of the Season

On 24 January 2014, Götze started as a "false 9" and scored his first goal in the second half of the season against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

May 2014: Played in the DFB-Pokal Final

On 17 May 2014, Götze played the full 120 minute match against former club Borussia Dortmund in 2014 DFB-Pokal Final which Bayern won 2–0 in extra time.

August 2014: Began 2014-15 Season

After helping Germany win the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Götze began the 2014–15 season on 14 August 2014, coming on as substitute in a 2–0 loss against Borussia Dortmund in 2014 DFL-Supercup.

2014: 2014 FIFA World Cup Participation

In 2014, Götze contributed four goals in FIFA World Cup qualifying and was named in Germany's squad for the tournament finals, scoring in the match against Ghana.

2014: Scored Winning Goal in FIFA World Cup Final

In 2014, Götze scored the winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

February 2015: Scored Brace Against Hamburger SV

In February 2015, Götze scored his third brace of the season and assisted one in their dominating 8–0 win against Hamburger SV.

August 2015: Scored in DFB-Pokal Win

On 9 August 2015, Götze scored in Bayern's 3–1 DFB-Pokal win over FC Nöttingen. On 1 August 2015, he started his season by coming on as a substitute in the 84th minute.

September 2015: Assisted and Scored Goals

In September 2015, Götze assisted the last goal in Bayern's 5–1 win against Wolfsburg, and he scored a goal against Dinamo Zagreb.

May 2016: Collaboration with The LEGO Group

In May 2016, Götze took part in a collaboration between the German Football Association and The LEGO Group, which released a Europe-exclusive collectible minifigure series, featuring Götze as one of the minifigures.

July 2016: Return to Dortmund Confirmed

On 21 July 2016, Götze confirmed his return to Dortmund on a four-year contract, regretting his decision to join Bayern Munich three years prior.

September 2016: Official Comeback

On 11 September 2016, Götze made his official comeback in a 1–0 loss against RB Leipzig and praised for promising return.

November 2016: Assisted Goal against Bayern Munich

On 20 November 2016, Götze assisted the only goal of the game in Dortmund's victory against Bayern Munich.

2016: Returned to Dortmund

In 2016, Mario Götze returned to Dortmund where he added another DFB-Pokal title and a DFL-Supercup to his name.

July 2017: Return to the Field After Illness

On 14 July 2017, Götze returned to the field after an absence due to metabolic illness, playing in a friendly match where Dortmund defeated Urawa Reds 3–2.

August 2017: First Start After Seven Months

In August 2017, specifically on the 19th, Götze made his first start in seven months for Dortmund in a Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg, which they won 3-0. He assisted a goal during the match. Dortmund's coach Peter Bosz hailed Götze's performance.

November 2017: Friendly Against France

In November 2017, Götze played in a friendly against France after a one-year absence from the national team.

2018: Omission from 2018 FIFA World Cup Squad

In 2018, Götze ultimately did not make the squad for the FIFA World Cup, despite playing in a friendly against France in November 2017.

February 2019: 50th Bundesliga Goal

On 9 February 2019, Götze scored his 50th Bundesliga goal in a 3–3 draw with Hoffenheim, also extending his record of never having lost a match in which he scored to 43 matches.

2019: 200th Competitive Appearance for Dortmund

In 2019, during the opening day of the Bundesliga campaign, Götze made his 200th competitive appearance for Dortmund as a substitute in a 5–1 win over Augsburg.

May 2020: Departure from Borussia Dortmund

In May 2020, specifically on the 23rd, Borussia Dortmund announced that Götze would leave the club at the end of the season. His last appearance was in a 1–0 defeat against Bayern Munich. He bid farewell at the Westfalenstadion before the match against 1899 Hoffenheim.