André Schürrle
His blistering extra-time assist sealed Germany's 2014 World Cup victory, a moment of pure footballing clarity that defined his career.
Born 1990 (age 36)·German footballer·Birthday: November 6·Millennials
Biography
André Schürrle's football journey was one of explosive speed and decisive moments. Emerging from Mainz 05, his direct style and powerful left foot earned him a move to Bayer Leverkusen and then Chelsea, where he won a Premier League title. His peak, however, came in the yellow of the German national team. At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, he was the super-sub whose impact was seismic. Coming off the bench in the final against Argentina, it was his sharp run and perfectly weighted pass that set up Mario Götze's iconic winning goal. That assist immortalized him in German football history. After stints at Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund, and Fulham, he retired surprisingly early at 29, citing a loss of passion for the game, leaving behind a career punctuated by moments of brilliant, game-changing intensity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
André was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When André Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
André's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Provided the crucial assist for Mario Götze's winning goal in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.
- Won the Premier League title with Chelsea in the 2014-15 season.
- Scored a hat-trick for Germany in a 2014 World Cup qualifying match against Sweden.
- Won the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) with Borussia Dortmund in 2017.
Did You Know?
He is a certified chess trainer and has expressed a deep love for the game.
He retired from professional football at the age of 29.
His father was a professional footballer in the German lower leagues.
He scored on his debut for both Chelsea and the German national team.
“I no longer need the applause. In the past, I always loved playing football, and it was the most important thing in my life. But that’s not the case anymore.”
