Finn Kessler, a 20-year-old Bayern Munich superfan, has become an unexpected internet celebrity during the World Cup after traveling to the United States to follow Germany. In the past two weeks, he has been profiled in media outlets across multiple countries because of one habit that has followed him for about a year, shouting Leon Goretzka’s name in a long, loud yell, “Goretzkahhhhh!” whenever he spots the midfielder.
The scenes are familiar to Bayern supporters: Kessler sees Goretzka at matches, training sessions, or as players board the team bus, then loudly calls out his name. The joke has spread widely on social media and among Bayern’s players and staff, many of whom find it amusing, though Goretzka himself does not always seem thrilled by the attention.
Kessler said the story began on a negative note. He had regularly followed the club but grew frustrated because, in his words, Goretzka almost never stopped to take photos with fans. “I was really fed up with him and even a little angry, because he never took pictures with fans,” Kessler said. Their relationship later improved, and Goretzka even gave him a shirt as a gift, but Kessler kept up the signature scream anyway.
The stunt has brought Kessler tens of thousands of Instagram followers, and it has now gone global. A Croatian media outlet said many people would “sell their soul” for such a fan, while another online comment joked that Goretzka has “one fan on Earth, and he simply hates him.” Germany is scheduled to play Ivory Coast tonight at 11:00 p.m. on Sport1.
