Alongside Basler, long-time teammate Joshua Kimmich also reflected on Goretzka's departure with evident emotion. "You can tell, of course, that he's realising his time here is almost up. It's very emotional for everyone—including me. We've played together for a long time. That's a significant chunk when you consider a professional career of ten to 15 years, and you spend eight of them at Bayern Munich. It's intense," Kimmich explained after the 3-3 (1-2) draw with 1. FC Heidenheim, where Goretzka scored twice.
Sporting director Max Eberl added: "Leon? Brilliant. When we told him 18 months ago that it would be tough, he still delivered. Last summer, when we said it might be difficult again, he fought his way back." And even in the winter, when FC Bayern told him they would not be renewing his expiring contract, Goretzka decided to stay in Munich. "He had a good nose for it," said Eberl.