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Benedikt Höwedes (born 29 February 1988) is a German former professionalfootballer who played as adefender. He spent the majority of his playing career forSchalke 04, which hecaptained for six seasons, and represented theGermany national football team from 2011 to 2017. At international level, Höwedes won theWorld Cup with Germany in2014,[3] and was one of only three players to play every single minute of the tournament.[3] Höwedes described himself as a 'multi-functional player' in the defence, who can play in thecentre or as both a left or right-sidedfull back.[4]
Höwedes started playing football for his hometown clubTuS Haltern in 1994. In 2001, he was transferred to the youth teams ofFC Schalke 04. In 2003, he becamecaptain of Schalke's under-19 team and as a member of that team he won theUnder 19 Bundesliga in 2006.
In January 2007, he signed a professional contract with Schalke, which ran until 30 June 2010, he then joined Schalke'sBundesliga squad in July. Until October 2007, however, he only played for Schalke's second team in theOberliga (fourth division).
Höwedes' first professional match was in theChampions League on 3 October 2007.[6]
On 10 December 2008, Höwedes extended his contract which will keep him at the club until 30 June 2014.[7] On 23 July 2011, Höwedes became captain of Schalke. On 9 March 2013, Höwedes extended his contract with Schalke, until 30 June 2017.[8]
On 30 August 2017, Höwedes joinedJuventus on a one-year loan deal for €3.5 million plus €3 million variables, with an option to buy for €13M.[10] On 26 November, Höwedes made hisSerie A and Juventus debut, in a 3–0 home win overCrotone.[11] On 15 April 2018, he scored his first goal for Juventus in a 3–0 home win overSampdoria. This was only his second appearance for the club, as his time in Italy was affected by numerous injuries.[12][13]
On 29 July 2018, Höwedes left Schalke to joinLokomotiv Moscow.[14] Lokomotiv announced the signing of a 4-year contract with Höwedes on 31 July 2018.[15] On 7 October 2018, he scored his first goal for Lokomotiv late in a game againstPFC CSKA Moscow, giving his team a 1–0 victory.[16]
On 8 June 2020, his contract with Lokomotiv was terminated by mutual consent as he decided to return to Germany for family reasons.[17]
On 31 July 2020, Höwedes announced his retirement from professional football.[18] Overall he played more than 275 top-flight matches in Germany, Italy and Russia.[19]
On 29 May 2011, he made his debut for thesenior team in a friendly againstUruguay.[22] On 7 June 2011, he played his first official match againstAzerbaijan inUEFA Euro 2012 qualifying, Germany won the match 3–1, with Höwedes setting up the first goal, which was scored byMesut Özil.[23]
Höwedes was selected for the German squad forUEFA Euro 2012 but did not make an appearance in the tournament.[24] On 15 August 2012, he scored his first goal in a 1–3 friendly defeat at home againstArgentina.[25]
After making three appearances during the2014 FIFA World Cup qualification, Höwedes was named in Germany's squad for thetournament finals.[26] He was named in the starting line-up at left back againstPortugal in the team's opening match, making his tournament debut.[27] Later on, he won the tournament, along with his team. In the2014 World Cup final, Höwedes went close to opening the scoring by hitting the goalpost with a header after a corner kick in the last seconds of the first half.[28] Höwedes was also one of three German players who played every minute of all seven World Cup games, alongside goalkeeperManuel Neuer and captainPhilipp Lahm.[29]
He won his last cap in March 2017. Benedikt Höwedes appeared 44 times for the DFB premium team.[30]
In August 2021, it was announced that Höwedes will begin a trainee program containing the tasks of the Germany national football team's managerial position accompanying hisUEFAmaster's degree.[31] The program is scheduled to last until the2022 FIFA World Cup.
A large, versatile, reliable, and tenacious defender,[32] Höwedes was considered a defensive all-rounder, as he could be deployed in any defensive position.[33] Höwedes's main playing position was atcentre back, but he could also be deployed as a right or left-sidedfull back and as a right or left-sidedwing-back, which were the main positions that Höwedes was deployed in underJens Keller.[33] In the early phase of his youth career, Höwedes mainly played as adefensive midfielder;[34] after joining Schalke, however, with whom he began his professional football career, he played mainly as a left-back.[34] Höwedes's main defensive strengths lay in his ability to win his oppositional one-on-oneduels consistently, his fine heading ability, and his no-nonsense style of play.[34] Höwedes's height and high-jumping ability also made him an aerial threat, and saw him both score and set-upgoals with his head. Additionally, Höwedes was also known for his well-timedsliding tackles andstanding tackles,[34] as well as his good first-timepassing,[34] technique, positional sense,[35] and great physical strength.[34] Despite his ability as a defender, he often struggled with injuries throughout his career.[36]
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