Julian Draxler
A technically gifted German midfielder, a World Cup winner at 21, whose career took him from Bundesliga wonderkid to a starring role in Qatar.
Born 1993 (age 33)·German footballer·Birthday: September 20·Millennials
Biography
Julian Draxler burst onto the scene at Schalke 04 as a teenager with silky dribbling and visionary passing, quickly becoming a symbol of German football's bright future. His move to Wolfsburg in 2015 broke transfer records and was meant to cement him as a national team pillar. The high point came early: a key substitute role in Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph in Brazil. While flashes of his sublime talent remained, consistency at the club level proved elusive. A high-profile transfer to Paris Saint-Germain placed him in a star-studded squad where playing time was fragmented, though he collected numerous domestic trophies. In 2023, seeking a central role, he made a surprising move to Al Ahli in Qatar, aiming to recapture the creative freedom that defined his early years while bringing World Cup pedigree to the Gulf league.
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.
Julian was born in 1993, 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 Julian Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Julian's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
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
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
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
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the FIFA World Cup with Germany in 2014, appearing in five matches including the final.
- Lifted the UEFA European Under-21 Championship trophy in 2017 as captain of the German team.
- Secured multiple Ligue 1 titles and domestic cups during his time with Paris Saint-Germain.
- Won the DFL-Supercup with Schalke 04 in 2011 and the DFB-Pokal with Wolfsburg in 2015.
- Awarded the Fritz Walter Medal in Gold in 2011 for being Germany's best youth player.
Did You Know?
He made his Bundesliga debut for Schalke at 17 years and 117 days old.
Draxler is a trained classical pianist and has spoken about music's role in his mental preparation.
He served as the captain for Germany's victorious 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship team.
His transfer from Schalke to Wolfsburg in 2015 was a then-club record fee for Wolfsburg.
He has a younger brother, Ben, who is also a professional footballer.
“My talent was clear, but the highest level demands more than talent.”
