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| Julian Draxler | |
|---|---|
| Name | Julian Draxler |
| Fullname | Julian Draxler |
| Birth date | 20 September 1993 |
| Birth place | Gladbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Position | Attacking midfielder, winger |
| Youthclubs | SSV Buer, Schalke 04 |
| Seniorclubs | Schalke 04, VfL Wolfsburg, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica (loan), Al Ahli (loan) |
| Nationalteam | Germany U18, Germany U19, Germany U21, Germany |
Julian Draxler is a German professional footballer who has played as an attacking midfielder and winger for clubs in the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, and the Portugal Primeira Liga, and has represented the Germany national football team at major tournaments. Emerging from the FC Schalke 04 youth academy, he moved to VfL Wolfsburg and later to Paris Saint-Germain F.C. where he won multiple domestic titles. Internationally he was part of the Germany squads for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.
Born in Gladbeck, North Rhine-Westphalia, Draxler began playing football with local side SSV Buer before joining the youth academy of FC Schalke 04, a club noted for developing talents such as Mesut Özil, Benedikt Höwedes, Manuel Neuer, and Julian Draxler's contemporaries. At Schalke he progressed through age-groups alongside players from academies including Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, featuring in youth competitions like the DFB-Pokal junior and regional tournaments that also showcased prospects who later played for Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, and Juventus F.C.. His performances attracted attention from scouts affiliated with UEFA competitions and national team youth coaches.
Draxler made his senior debut for Schalke in the Bundesliga as a teenager, joining the list of young debutants alongside names such as Lukas Podolski and Mario Götze. After establishing himself at Schalke, he transferred to VfL Wolfsburg, a club that has fielded players like Kevin De Bruyne and Edin Džeko, before securing a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain F.C., a European side owned by the Qatar Sports Investments group associated with signings of Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Zlatan Ibrahimović. At PSG he won multiple Ligue 1 titles, Coupe de France trophies, and Coupe de la Ligue honours, and participated in UEFA Champions League campaigns that featured clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Bayern Munich, and Liverpool F.C..
Later, Draxler experienced loan spells, including a temporary move to S.L. Benfica in the Primeira Liga—a club famed for graduating players like Rúben Dias and Álvaro Fernandes—and subsequently played in other international leagues, facing opponents from Sporting CP, FC Porto, and clubs that compete in UEFA Europa League fixtures. Throughout his club career he has worn numbers that are iconic at teams like Schalke 04 and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and shared squads with internationals from Brazil, France, Argentina, and Portugal.
Draxler represented Germany at youth levels including Germany national under-21 football team and Germany national under-19 football team, participating in UEFA youth tournaments that also featured future internationals from England national football team, Spain national football team, and France national football team. He earned senior call-ups under managers such as Joachim Löw and was selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad that included winners like Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels, and Manuel Neuer. Draxler played in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup where he was influential in matches against teams such as Chile national football team and Australia national soccer team, contributing to Germany's triumph in that competition. He also appeared in qualification campaigns for UEFA Euro 2016 and FIFA World Cup cycles, competing against national teams like Netherlands national football team, Italy national football team, and Belgium national football team.
Draxler is deployed as an attacking midfielder and wide forward, a role analogous to players like Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben, and David Silva in providing creativity and goal contributions. Known for his dribbling, passing range, and movement off the ball, he has been compared stylistically to German playmakers such as Mesut Özil and Toni Kroos in transitional phases, while his pace and ability to cut inside recall aspects of Raheem Sterling and Gareth Bale. Coaches from clubs including Schalke 04, VfL Wolfsburg, and Paris Saint-Germain F.C. have used him in systems emphasizing possession against opponents like Atlético Madrid and Manchester City.
Draxler's background links to the Ruhr region and its footballing culture, which also produced figures such as Guido Buchwald, Michael Zorc, and Rudi Völler. Off the pitch he has been involved in charitable initiatives similar to programs run by clubs like Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and federations such as the German Football Association. He has appeared in interviews and media alongside fellow professionals from Germany national football team and club teammates from Paris Saint-Germain F.C. and VfL Wolfsburg.
Across domestic leagues and cups, Draxler's statistics span appearances and goals accumulated at FC Schalke 04, VfL Wolfsburg, Paris Saint-Germain F.C., and S.L. Benfica, as well as caps and goals for the Germany national football team. His continental appearances include matches in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League, where he faced clubs such as FC Barcelona and Manchester United.
Draxler's honours include domestic league titles with Paris Saint-Germain F.C. in Ligue 1, domestic cups such as the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, and international honours with Germany national football team including the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Individually he has received recognitions at youth level and squad-based awards at clubs including FC Schalke 04 and Paris Saint-Germain F.C..
Category:1993 births Category:German footballers Category:Association football midfielders