Leon Goretzka celebrated a big win with FC Bayern against his former club. He then posted a telling photo.
Leon Goretzka got playing time in FC Bayern’s game in Bochum on Sunday – more time than ever before this Bundesliga season. The midfielder was on the pitch for 29 minutes and ended up celebrating a 5-0 win with the team against his former club.
The 29-year-old, who played 30 minutes in the Champions League against Barcelona (1:4), posted a post with an emotional background on Instagram. Goretzka posted a photo of himself in the FC Bayern jersey, with the VfL Bochum logo emblazoned next to him. The Munich native looks into the camera with a smile.
No wonder, after all Goretzka came on as a substitute for João Palhinha in the 61st minute to much applause and almost scored a goal in the 81st minute. The applause came not only from Bayern fans, but also from many Bochum fans. Goretzka also still has deep ties to the club where he started.
Goretzka was born in Bochum and first played for WSV Bochum and later for VfL Bochum from 2001. He was part of the youth team and then progressed through the U17 and U19 ranks to the club’s professionals. Goretzka played for Bochum’s first team from 2012 to 2013 before moving to Schalke 04 and joining Munich in 2018.
In the past, the Bayern star has often been spotted in the stands at Bochum games in his home country. For example, in Bochum’s relegation game against Düsseldorf in May. The Munich native was a guest at the time with his girlfriend and wore a Bochum jersey and sang along to the Grönemeyer anthem “Bochum”. Now Goretzka got his club loyalty back with applause.