Max Meyer (footballer)

winner World Cup 2014 Maximilian "Max" Meyer (German pronunciation: [maxˈɪ.mɪ.lɪ.an ˈmaɪ.jɐ̯]; born 18 September 1995) is a German professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Schalke 04.

Early career

Meyer left his hometown club Rot-Weiß Oberhausen to join MSV Duisburg in 2004 on a free transfer. Then in 2009 he transferred to FC Schalke 04's youth team. With the Schalke U-19, he won the 2011–12 German U-19 Championship against Bayern Munich with a 2–1 win in the final.

In the 2011–12 season, he played 15 matches for Schalke's U-19. He scored 11 goals and made 11 assists. This made him the second top scorer in the club behind Tammo Harder. Due to his good performance, Schalke's general manager, Horst Heldt, gave him a professional contract until 2015.

2012–13 season

Following the departure of Lewis Holtby to Tottenham Hotspur and the injuries of several other players, he was included in the Bundesliga and Champions League squad. On 9 February 2013, he was an unused substitute against Bayern Munich. On 16 February, in a 2–2 draw match against 1. FSV Mainz 05 he replaced Raffael in the 72nd minute and provided an assist for Michel Bastos's goal that helped Schalke secure the draw.

2013–14 season

For the 2013–14 season, Meyer was issued the number 7 jersey (last worn by Raúl). He started the season by scoring a brace against SSVg Velbert, playing for Schalke 04 II. His first match in 2013–14 Bundesliga was against VfL Wolfsburg coming as a 73rd-minute substitute for Jefferson Farfán. In an UEFA Champions League match against PAOK, he made his first start of his career but was replaced in the 69th minute by Christian Clemens. Then in a DFB-Pokal match against Darmstadt 98, he scored his first ever goal for Schalke 04. He also scored against giants Borussia Dortmund after coming as a substitute for Christian Fuchs. Following his wonderful performance against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League, he became a transfer target for the adversary who was willing to give €15 million for Meyer. He scored goals in consecutive matches against Eintracht Braunschweig and FC Augsburg.

On 30 November 2013, Meyer signed a contract extension with Schalke until 30 June 2018. He then scored in the first match after winter break against Hamburger SV.

2014–15 season

Schalke went into the last game of their Champions League group away to NK Maribor needing a win to advance. Meyer replaced Tranquillo Barnetta after 56 minutes and six minutes later scored the only goal of the game that took them through to the round of 16 against Real Madrid where they lost 2-0 at the veltins arena and then beat Real Madrid 4-3 in Madrid.

Meyer (left) with Walace in the gold medal final at the 2016 Summer Olympics

Youth

Meyer was part of the Germany under–17 squad for 2012 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. Meyer scored three goals and helped Germany to reach the final which the Germans lost in a penalty shoot-out to the Netherlands. Nevertheless, Meyer was top scorer and awarded best player of the tournament. Meyer won the Fritz Walter Under-17 Silver Medal in 2012. Meyer scored his first goal for Germany's under–19 team in a friendly against the Netherlands.

Senior

Meyer was included in the 30 man provisional squad for 2014 FIFA World Cup. On 13 May 2014, Meyer made his debut against Poland. Though Meyer started the match, in the 76th minute he was substituted for Maximilian Arnold. On 31 October 2016, Max Meyer graduated from the 2-0 win in the friendly match in Mönchengladbach against Finland two years after its debut his second senior international, scoring with the results for the 1-0 lead his first goal for the German senior national team.

Olympic team

Alongside Schalke teammate Leon Goretzka, Meyer was named in the squad for the 2016 Summer Olympics. Meyer would captain the team for the rest of the tournament after Goretzka suffered a shoulder injury. On 11 August 2016, Meyer scored a hat-trick in a 10–0 win over Fiji, although he also missed a penalty. On 21 August, Meyer scored the equaliser in the gold medal final, but Germany lost to Brazil 5–4 on penalties.

Because of his dribbling abilities and his high speed, his playing style is compared to that of Lionel Messi. When asked about his good technique, Meyer replied "With ten years I have played Futsal for four years next to the football club in addition. In addition to the three workouts in the club I had in addition a Futsal session per week. Saturdays at noon was the point of the game and in the afternoon the futsal game."

Club statistics

As of matches played on 12 January 2017.

International statistics

International goals

As of match played 31 August 2016. Germany score listed first, score column indicates score after each Meyer goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result, and competition

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	31 August 2016	Borussia-Park, Mönchengladbach, Germany	Finland	1–0	2–0	Friendly

International

Germany

• UEFA European Under-17 Championship Runner-up: 2012
• Summer Olympic Games: Silver Medal, 2016

Individual

• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Golden Player: 2012
• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Top Goalscorer: 2012
• UEFA European Under-17 Football Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012
• Fritz Walter Medal: U17 Silver Medal 2012
• Fritz Walter Medal: U19 Silver Medal 2014

• ^ Dan, Ross (24 August 2012). "2012: Max Meyer". uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 31 August 2014. 
• "Fritz-Walter-Medaille 2012". fritz-walter-stiftung.de (in German). 30 July 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2014. 
• "Max Meyer erhält Fritz-Walter-Medaille in Silber" [Max Meyer receives the Fritz Walter Medal in Silver]. schalke04.de (in German). 26 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.