Leroy Aziz

Leroy Aziz Sané is a professional footballer from Germany. For the German national team and the English Premier League football club 'Manchester City,' he plays as a winger and offensive midfielder. Leroy began playing football as a child with the youth team of 'SG Wattenscheid 09.' He is the son of Senegalese former footballer Souleyman Sané and German former 'Olympic' gymnast Regina Weber. He later played for the 'Schalke 04' and 'Bayer Leverkusen' junior teams before making his professional debut with the 'Schalke 04' senior club. After that, he moved to 'Manchester City.' In the 2017–2018 season, he was named the 'PFA Young Player of the Year after helping the team win the 'Premier League' and the 'EFL Cup.' He was a member of the German under-19 and under-21 football teams throughout his international career. He has been a member of the German national football team since November 2015. He was a member of the 2016 'UEFA European Championship' team that advanced to the semi-finals.

Childhood and Adolescence

Souleyman Sané and Regina Weber gave birth to Leroy Aziz Sané on January 11, 1996, in Essen, Germany. His father is a former striker for the Senegalese national team. His mother is a former German individual rhythmic gymnast who earned a bronze medal in the 1984 'Olympic' all-around. While his father was playing professionally for 'SG Wattenscheid 09.' his parents met. Souleyman was born in France and later moved to Germany after serving in the French army.

Claude Le Roy, his father's former head coach, was the inspiration for Leroy's name. Wattenscheid is where Leroy grew up. In Gelsenkirchen, he attended a secondary school. He and his two brothers, Kim and Sidi, were members of the 'Schalke 04.' youth academy. Leroy's brothers also played for big German football clubs' youth teams or second XI.

Career in the Club

Leroy joined the 'SG Wattenscheid 09.' young squad in 2001 when he was around 5 years old. He stayed there until 2005 when he transferred to the 'Schalke' youth academy ('Nachwuchsleistungszentrum'). Following that, he joined Bayer Leverkusen in 2008 and returned to 'Schalke 04' in 2011. Until early 2014, he was a member of the club's youth team.

On March 21, 2014, he began his senior club career with 'Schalke 04,' signing a three-year professional contract with the club. The agreement has been renewed through June 30, 2017. On April 20, 2014, he played his first match in the 'Bundesliga.' On December 13, 2014, he scored his first goal of the season against '1. FC Köln,' and on March 11, 2015, he scored his first 'UEFA Champions League' match goal against 'Real Madrid.'

On August 2, 2016, he signed a 5-year contract with 'Manchester City,' a 'Premier League' team. According to reports, the transfer cost was £37 million, with performance-based add-ons potentially bringing the total to £46.5 million. On September 10 of that year, he made his debut for the club in the 'Manchester' derby against 'Manchester United.' He scored his first goal for the club in a 'Premier League' encounter against 'Arsenal' on December 18, the same year. He was unable to compete in the 2017 'FIFA Confederations Cup,' due to the need for corrective surgery to address his persistent nasal congestion.

In the 2017–2018 season, Leroy continued to impress, earning the 'Premier League Player of the Month' title for October 2017. During the 2017–2018 'FA Cup,' he was a member of the club's squad. The 2018 'EFL Cup' final was place on February 25, 2018, at 'Wembley Stadium,' with 'Manchester City' defeating 'Arsenal' 3–0 to win the cup. Leroy started the game and played 77 minutes before being replaced.

In 2017–2018, he won the 'PFA Young Player of the Year award for his contribution to 'Manchester City' winning the 'Premier League title. It was the club's third 'Premier League title.

On April 24, 2019, he scored his first 'Manchester' derby goal in a 2–0 win for 'Manchester City' over 'Manchester United.'

On August 4, 2019, he tore his ACL in the 2019 'FA Community Shield' match between 'Manchester City' and 'Liverpool.' As a result, he only lasted 13 minutes before being replaced. The trophy was successfully defended by 'Manchester City,' who won 5–4 on penalties.

Career Opportunities on the Global Stage

Leroy is a dual citizen of Germany and France, making him eligible to play for either country. He, on the other hand, was elected to represent Germany.

In 2014, he earned his junior international debut for Germany's under-19 team. During his time with the team, which ended in 2015, he scored eight goals in 11 appearances. He was called by coach Horst Hrubesch on August 28, 2015, to play for the German under-21 team in a friendly match against Denmark. In a 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier match, he also faced Azerbaijan.

On September 3, 2015, he made his full-fledged German under-21 team debut when Germany defeated Denmark 2–1 at the 'Stadion a der Lohmühle' in Lübeck. After 73 minutes of play, he was replaced by Julian Brandt.

He received his first senior call-up to the German senior national football team on November 6, 2015, for a friendly match against France. In the aftermath of the November 2015 Paris attacks, he played in a friendly match against France in Saint-Denis on November 13, 2015, despite shootings and explosions outside the stadium. The match ended in a 2–0 victory for France.

Joachim Löw, the German national team's head coach, chose Leroy for the German squad at the 2016 'UEFA Euro'. The team advanced to the semi-finals, where France defeated them 2–0. Leroy only played one match in the competition, which took place on July 7.

His name was withdrawn of the 23-member German national team's final squad for the 2018 'FIFA World Cup' on June 4, 2018. Instead, Julian Brandt's name was used. In September 2018, Leroy was named to the team to play against Peru and France. Leroy, on the other hand, left the team hotel after a discussion with Löw. He stated that his decision was based on personal factors. It was later discovered that he made the decision due to the birth of his daughter.

On November 16, 2018, he scored his first goal for the German senior national team in a game against Russia that finished in a 3–0 victory for the Germans.

Personal & Family Life

Leroy was dating Candice Brook, an American model, singer, and reality TV star, as of 2018. Rio Stella, their daughter, was born in September 2018.