Leon Goretzka receives the Thomas Müller treatment ahead of Bayern Munich exit

TL;DR

Bayern Munich is parting ways with midfielder Leon Goretzka after a successful tenure. Despite injuries and inconsistent performances, he received a warm farewell from fans in his last home game.

Key points

Leon Goretzka is leaving Bayern Munich
He joined the club in 2018 and won multiple titles
Injuries and performance issues led to his exit
Fans gave him a standing ovation in his last game
He was handed the Meisterschale by Manuel Neuer

Bayern MunichFC Köln

Bayern Munich's German midfielder #08 Leon Goretzka claps his hands as he walks on the field during the German first division Bundesliga football match between FC Bayern Munich and FC Cologne in Munich, southern Germany, on May 16, 2026. (Photo by Alexandra BEIER / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO | AFP via Getty Images Bayern Munich is letting go of a few players this season, but none of them are as important to the club as Leon Goretzka. The central midfielder arrived in 2018 from Schalke, and quickly made a name for himself. Within two years, he won the sextuple with Bayern. Goretzka was a fan favorite, he had the skills, the charm and the physicality. Having become the starting midfielder of choice alongside Joshua Kimmich, he was one of the most important players post-2020. Over the past five years, however, things were not smooth. the German international ran into his fair share of injuries — from persistent knee issues requiring surgery to multiple muscular injuries, often seeing him sidelined. This alongside his inconsistent performances, raised questions on how long he’d stay at Bayern before bidding the club farewell. Additionally, younger players like Aleksander Pavlovic and found themselves higher in the pecking order. A joint decision by the board to no longer extend Goretzka was made and hence, the 31-year-old now finds himself in search of a new club. However, the fans did their part. In his last home game with Bayern against FC Köln, Goretzka received a standing ovation on being subbed off. This only proves one thing — with the fans, there is truly no bad blood. Goretzka will always be one of theirs and for his contributions, they appreciate him. Last year, handed Thomas Müller the Meisterschale ahead of Müller’s exit, and Neuer repeated the same this year. The keeper handed Goretzka the trophy for him to be the first to lift it. *(I am not crying, you’re crying!)* *Danke* Leon. Wishing you the best. *If you are looking for more Bayern Munich and German national team coverage, check out the latest episodes of Bavarian Podcast Works, which you can get on , , , or any leading podcast distributor…*

Q&A

Why is Leon Goretzka leaving Bayern Munich?

Leon Goretzka is leaving Bayern Munich due to a joint decision by the board not to extend his contract, amid concerns over his injuries and performance.

What has been Leon Goretzka's impact at Bayern Munich?

Leon Goretzka joined Bayern Munich in 2018 and was instrumental in the team's success, including winning the sextuple in 2020, becoming a fan favorite.

How did fans react to Leon Goretzka's departure?

Fans showed their appreciation for Leon Goretzka by giving him a standing ovation during his last home game against FC Köln.