Mats Hummels

Mats Julian Hummels was born on December 16, 1988, in Bergisch Gladbach, Germany. Raised in a family with strong football ties, his father Hermann Hummels was a former professional footballer and manager. Mats Hummels joined Bayern Munich's youth academy in 1995, which laid the foundation for his successful football career.

In January 2009, Mats Hummels joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Bayern Munich. His solid defensive skills and excellent passing ability became vital to the team's success. Hummels soon became a key player in Dortmund's defense line, earning a permanent transfer to the club in February 2009.

Mats Hummels made his debut for the Germany national team on May 13, 2010, in a friendly match against Malta. This marked the beginning of his international career, where he eventually became a staple in Germany's defense, contributing to numerous tournaments including UEFA Euro 2012 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

On May 14, 2011, Borussia Dortmund won the Bundesliga title with Mats Hummels playing a central role in their defense. His partnership with Neven Subotic was crucial in Dortmund's defense, and Hummels' ability to build play from the back was a major factor in the team's successful season.

On May 25, 2013, Borussia Dortmund faced Bayern Munich in an all-German UEFA Champions League final at Wembley Stadium. Mats Hummels was an integral part of Dortmund's defense. Despite their efforts, Dortmund lost 2-1, but Hummels' performance was widely praised as he showcased his defensive prowess on one of the biggest stages.

On July 13, 2014, Mats Hummels and the German national team won the FIFA World Cup after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final match. Hummels played a pivotal role in Germany's defense throughout the tournament, even scoring the decisive goal against France in the quarter-final that helped Germany advance. His performances were universally praised.

Mats Hummels was named captain of Borussia Dortmund on June 4, 2015. As captain, he was tasked with leading the team both on and off the pitch, a role he embraced with dedication. His leadership was instrumental during a transitional period for the club, helping to guide a new generation of players.

On May 10, 2016, it was announced that Mats Hummels would transfer from Borussia Dortmund back to Bayern Munich, the club where he started his career. The transfer was completed for a reported fee of €35 million. Hummels' return to Munich was significant, as he was expected to bring experience and solidity to Bayern's backline.

On June 19, 2019, Mats Hummels returned to Borussia Dortmund, leaving Bayern Munich after three successful seasons. His return was seen as a major coup for Dortmund, as they were acquiring a player of immense experience and defensive quality. Hummels was expected to lead and mentor the younger players in the team.

On June 15, 2021, during Germany's UEFA Euro 2020 group stage match against France, Mats Hummels scored an unfortunate own goal, which ended up being the only goal in the match, resulting in a 0-1 loss for Germany. Despite the own goal, his overall defensive performance in the tournament was generally positive.