From Schalke 04 to PSG: The Rise of Julian Draxler
Julian Draxler is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the German national team. Draxler’s career began at Schalke 04, where he rose from the youth ranks to become a key player for the club. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at Julian Draxler’s journey from Schalke 04 to PSG, exploring the highlights of his career along the way.
Section 1: A Young Talent at Schalke 04
Julian Draxler was born on September 20, 1993, in Gladbeck, Germany. His football career began at the age of 8 when he joined the local club, BV Rentfort. He spent six years at BV Rentfort before joining the Schalke 04 youth academy in 2001 at the age of 11.
Under the guidance of Schalke’s youth coaches, Draxler developed into a talented attacking midfielder with excellent dribbling skills and a sharp eye for goal. He made his professional debut for Schalke on January 15, 2011, at the age of 17, in a match against Hamburger SV.
FAQ: How did Julian Draxler’s career start?
Julian Draxler’s football career started at the age of 8 when he joined the local club BV Rentfort. He joined the Schalke 04 youth academy six years later at the age of 11.
Section 2: Rising to Prominence at Schalke 04
Draxler quickly became a regular in Schalke’s first team, making 74 appearances and scoring 12 goals across three seasons. He helped the team reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2011/12, where they lost to eventual champions, Chelsea.
In the 2012/13 season, Draxler started to attract attention from top European clubs with his impressive performances. He finished the season with 10 goals and 6 assists in all competitions, earning him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Year.
FAQ: How many goals did Julian Draxler score for Schalke 04?
Julian Draxler scored 12 goals for Schalke 04 across three seasons, helping the team reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League in 2011/12.
Section 3: Moving to Wolfsburg
In August 2015, Julian Draxler made a big-money move to VfL Wolfsburg, signing a five-year contract worth €36 million. Draxler made an immediate impact at his new club, scoring on his debut against Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, Draxler’s time at Wolfsburg was fraught with controversy. He filed a transfer request in August 2016, citing a lack of sporting ambition at the club. Draxler eventually left Wolfsburg in January 2017, joining French club, Paris Saint-Germain.
FAQ: Why did Julian Draxler leave Wolfsburg?
Julian Draxler left Wolfsburg in January 2017 after filing a transfer request in August 2016, citing a lack of sporting ambition at the club.
Section 4: Finding Success at PSG
Julian Draxler made an immediate impact at PSG, scoring on his debut against Rennes and helping the club win the Ligue 1 title in his first season. Draxler has since become a key player for PSG, contributing goals and assists in both domestic and European competitions.
Draxler’s best moment for PSG came in the 2017/18 season when he scored a crucial goal in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid. However, PSG ultimately lost the tie, crashing out of the tournament on aggregate.
FAQ: What is Julian Draxler’s best moment at PSG?
Julian Draxler’s best moment at PSG came in the 2017/18 season when he scored a crucial goal in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League against Real Madrid.
Section 5: A Key Player for the German National Team
Julian Draxler made his international debut for Germany in May 2012, at the age of 18. He has since become a key player for the German national team, playing a key role in their victory at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Draxler has made over 50 appearances for Germany, scoring 10 goals in the process. He was also named the German Footballer of the Year in 2016.
FAQ: How many appearances has Julian Draxler made for the German national team?
Julian Draxler has made over 50 appearances for the German national team, scoring 10 goals in the process.
Section 6: Playing Style and Strengths
Julian Draxler is an attacking midfielder who is known for his dribbling skills, vision, and creativity. He has a great first touch and is excellent at running with the ball at his feet.
Draxler is also a versatile player who can play on either wing or in a central role. His ability to play in different positions makes him a valuable asset to any team he plays for.
FAQ: What are Julian Draxler’s strengths as a football player?
Julian Draxler’s strengths as a football player include his dribbling skills, vision, creativity, and versatility. He is known for his ability to play in different positions on the pitch.
Section 7: Personal Life
Julian Draxler is a private person who keeps details of his personal life out of the public eye. However, it is known that he is married to long-time girlfriend, Lena Stiffel. The couple got married in June 2019 in a private ceremony in Germany.
Draxler is also known for his philanthropic work, having set up a foundation to support children affected by cancer. He has also been involved in fundraising activities for various charities throughout his career.
FAQ: Is Julian Draxler married?
Yes, Julian Draxler is married to Lena Stiffel. The couple got married in June 2019 in a private ceremony in Germany.
Conclusion
Julian Draxler is a talented footballer who has achieved success at both club and international level. His rise from Schalke 04 to PSG is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. Draxler’s career highlights include winning the Ligue 1 title with PSG, playing a key role in Germany’s World Cup victory in 2014, and his philanthropic work supporting children affected by cancer. We can expect to see more great things from Julian Draxler in the future, both on and off the pitch.
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