Sami Khedira
A midfield engine of quiet intelligence and tactical discipline, he was the indispensable glue for Germany's 2014 World Cup triumph.
Born 1987 (age 39)·German footballer·Birthday: April 4·Millennials
Biography
Sami Khedira's football journey is one of understated excellence. Born in Stuttgart to a Tunisian father and German mother, his game was built on anticipation and positional savvy rather than flashy tricks. His rise at VfB Stuttgart culminated in a Bundesliga title in 2007, but his true arrival on the world stage came with his move to Real Madrid. At the Bernabéu, he honed his skills alongside global stars, becoming a trusted component in a midfield that claimed a La Liga title and the coveted Champions League trophy. His crowning moment, however, was in the white of Germany. In the 2014 World Cup final, Khedira delivered a commanding performance, a symbol of the team's collective strength, before his substitution due to injury. His career, which later included spells at Juventus and Hertha Berlin, is a testament to the profound impact of a player who mastered the art of making the complex look simple.
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.
Sami was born in 1987, 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 Sami Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Sami's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
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
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
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
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, starting in the final against Argentina.
- Lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy with Real Madrid in the 2013-14 season.
- Secured a Bundesliga championship with his boyhood club, VfB Stuttgart, in 2007.
- Earned over 75 caps for the German national team, scoring crucial goals in major tournaments.
Did You Know?
He holds both German and Tunisian citizenship.
He scored his first international goal in the third-place match of the 2010 World Cup.
He is a trained industrial clerk, having completed an apprenticeship alongside his early football career.
His brother, Rani Khedira, is also a professional footballer who has played in the Bundesliga.
“I was never the most spectacular player, but I always tried to be the most intelligent one on the pitch.”
