World Cup star Leon Goretzka’s extreme 2020 physical transformation became one of the big stories of the coronavirus-ravaged season once soccer resumed. The Bundesliga was the first major European league to resume in May 2020 after all soccer was halted due to the pandemic.
But then-25-year-old Bayern Munich midfielder Goretzka had grown from a slender, lanky 6ft 2in frame to an all-round tank who looked almost unrecognizable once play resumed. The German player, who competed in this summer’s World Cup, shocked fans with his incredible physical transformation during the months-long lockdown.
In May, his physique was such that his biceps, triceps and pecs were visibly sticking out of his Bayern jersey, and the image quickly went viral on social media. Fans wondered how he was able to achieve a Hulk-like physique in such a short period of time.
During the Champions League win over Lokomotiv Moscow in October 2020, Goretzka tore his sleeve while celebrating after scoring the opening goal after 13 minutes. Many took to Twitter to speculate that his jersey may have torn because it could no longer contain his oversized muscles.
His upgraded physique came in handy a month earlier, when he played a key role in Bayern’s unprecedented six turnovers in September 2020. However, his career since then has not reached the same heights, with his form declining and his performances for club and country coming under scrutiny.
Goretzka left Bayern on June 30 this year when his contract expired after eight years at the club. The 31-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under coach Vincent Kompany, mainly appearing as a substitute in domestic and European cup competitions.
Despite not being his club’s first choice midfielder, he was surprisingly selected by coach Julian Nagelsmann for this summer’s World Cup. Unfortunately for Goretzka, his third World Cup tournament also ended in disappointment and setback.
In the opening two games against Curaçao and Ivory Coast, Germany won after playing just 22 minutes. He came on as a substitute in the group stage loss to Ecuador, and made his only start of the tournament in the round of 32, when they defeated Germany on penalties against Paraguay. Goretzka is currently a free agent and has not yet decided on a transfer destination.
