Talented Soccer Player 2012 - Mario Götze, German footballer

Mario Götze (born 3 June 1992) is a German footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Borussia Dortmund in the German Bundesliga and the German national team. He primarily plays as an attacking midfielder, but is capable of operating as a right or left winger. Götze is considered to be an up-and-coming, potential world class player, possessing high speed, excellent technical and dribbling skill, play-making capabilities and spellbinding creativity. Former German Football Association's technical director Matthias Sammer reckons Götze as "one of the best talents that we've ever had".

Götze was born in Memmingen, Bavaria. His father Jürgen Götze is a renowned professor at the Dortmund University of Technology. His brother Fabian Götze currently plays for VfL Bochum II, having left Dortmund's youth system in 2010.

After ascending through several youth teams, Mario Götze was called up for his first senior match for Germany against Sweden, on 17 November 2010. He made his debut that day, coming on in the 78th minute in a goalless draw, substituting for his Dortmund teammate Kevin Großkreutz and becoming the youngest German international since Uwe Seeler. Götze and André Schürrle who came on simultaneously are the first two Germany players to be born in reunified Germany. He made his second appearance for the national team in a friendly match against Italy on 9 February 2011.

Götze's first goal for Germany was against Brazil on 10 August 2011; at 19 years and 68 days he became the joint-youngest goalscorer for the German national team in the post-war era along with Klaus Stürmer who scored on debut against France on 16 October 1954. Götze made his tournament debut in Euro 2012 after coming on as a substitute against Greece in the quarter-finals. 

Soccer Star - Marco Reus, German footballer

Marco Reus (German pronunciation: [ˈmaɐ̯koː ˈʁɔʏ̯s]; born 31 May 1989) is a German footballer who plays as a striker or winger for German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund and the German national team. He played and scored for Germany at UEFA Euro 2012. Reus is known for his versatility, speed and technique.

Reus spent his youth career at Borussia Dortmund, prior to leaving for Rot Weiss Ahlen. He has played for three club in his senior career, most notably, and with most influence, in Borussia Monchengladbach of the German Bundesliga. Reus's primary position is right winger; however, he is capable of playing on both flanks and through the middle, due to his ability to control the ball with both feet. 2012 was his most successful season when, scoring 18 and assisting 8, he helped Borussia Monchengladbach secure a place in the following season's UEFA Champions League. He agreed a move to his home club Borussia Dortmund at the end of that season. He will wear number 11, previously worn by Mario Götze.

Reus was born in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. He began to play football for his hometown club Post SV Dortmund in 1994 and joined the youth ranks of Borussia Dortmund in 1996. He played for Borussia Dortmund until he left for the U-19 of Rot Weiss Ahlen in the summer of 2006. During his first year there the attacking midfielder was featured in five games for the club's second team which played in the Westphalia league at the time. He scored a goal in each of his first two games. The following year he was able to break into Ahlen's first team which played in the German third division at the time. He started twice and was featured in 14 matches, scoring two times. One of his goals came on the last day of the season and helped his team being promoted to the 2. Bundesliga.

In 2008–09, the then 19 year old had his definitive breakthrough as a professional football player. He played in 27 games and scored four times. On 25 May 2009, he signed a four-year contract with Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.

On 28 August 2009 Reus scored his first Bundesliga goal in a game against FSV Mainz after a 50m solo run, and since then became a prolific goalscorer for his club under Lucien Favre.

At the start of the 2011–12 season, Reus began the season in fine form scoring seven goals in twelve matches. Reus' contract with Gladbach was set to expire in 2015 and reportedly had a buy-out clause of €18 million.

On 4 January 2012, Reus signed with his former club Borussia Dortmund, for a transfer fee of €17.5 million, on a five year deal that will keep him at the club until July 2017. Reus rejoined Dortmund on 1 July 2012.

In August 2012, Reus scored a goal in a 2-1 win for Borussia Dortmund against Werder Bremen.