Christian Fuchs
The Austrian left-back whose pinpoint crosses and steady reliability were crucial in one of football's most improbable championship stories.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Austrian footballer·Birthday: April 7·Millennials
Biography
Christian Fuchs's career was that of a solid, respected European professional, with caps for Austria and stints in Germany and England. Then, he signed with Leicester City. As a key component of the Foxes' 2015-16 back line, his experience and unflappable demeanor provided balance to a squad defying 5000-to-1 odds. His role was not about flashy headlines but consistent, intelligent defending and, most memorably, delivering devastatingly accurate long throws and crosses that became a potent weapon in Leicester's counter-attacking arsenal. Fuchs's 'No Fuchs Given' brand persona showed a player enjoying the ride, but on the pitch, he was all business, forming a formidable partnership with Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson. That Premier League winner's medal transformed his legacy from that of a dependable national team captain to a permanent figure in football folklore, a testament to the power of teamwork and belief.
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.
Christian was born in 1986, 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 Christian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Christian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Premier League with Leicester City in the 2015-16 season, one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
- Earned 78 caps for the Austrian national team and served as captain for UEFA Euro 2016.
- Won the Austrian Football Bundesliga twice with FC Salzburg early in his career.
- Later played in Major League Soccer for Charlotte FC, becoming a veteran leader for the expansion club.
Did You Know?
He is a licensed pilot and often flew himself to training and matches when playing in the United States.
He founded the media company 'No Fuchs Given' and has worked as a football analyst for NBC Sports.
During his time at Leicester, he was known for his extremely long and accurate throw-ins, which were used as an attacking set-piece.
He played every minute of Austria's campaign at UEFA Euro 2016 as the team captain.
“We believed from the first day. People called us crazy, but inside the dressing room, we knew we could do something special.”
