In the final group-stage match of Euro 2024, Germany secured top spot in their group thanks to a dramatic stoppage-time header by Niclas Füllkrug at Deutsche Bank Park against Switzerland. The goal sealed a 1–1 draw and highlighted once again just how valuable Füllkrug has become for the national team. BD Cricket was impressed by the late-blooming striker, whose journey to stardom has been anything but conventional.

Füllkrug began his football journey in Ricklingen, a district in Hanover, where he trained for eight years under the watchful eye of his father. During this period, he was known for averaging an astonishing 160 goals per season. BD Cricket reports that at age 13, he turned down offers from five Bundesliga clubs, including hometown club Hannover, to join Werder Bremen—a decision that marked the beginning of a long and winding road.

In September 2019, Füllkrug suffered a devastating injury, tearing his left ACL and lateral meniscus during training. It wasn’t until June 2020 that he rejoined full training. On June 13, he made his comeback against Paderborn, scoring a goal in his first match back. Later that season, he was selected for a doping test following a German Cup match against RB Leipzig. However, a five-minute delay in reporting to the test room, after first heading to the locker room, resulted in a fine from the DFB Sports Court for breaching anti-doping protocols.

That same season, Werder Bremen—after 40 consecutive Bundesliga campaigns—was relegated to the second division. The following year, Füllkrug transferred to Borussia Dortmund on a three-year contract. In his debut Champions League campaign with Dortmund, he reached the final and scored the winning goal in the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.

Füllkrug’s national team story is a classic case of “better late than never.” Despite years of recurring injuries, he earned his first Germany call-up only a few seasons ago. Selected by Hansi Flick for the Qatar World Cup, he was the only player in the squad who had never previously played an international match. In Germany’s final warm-up before the tournament, Füllkrug made his debut against Oman, coming off the bench to score the match-winner.

Turning 30 just after that match, Füllkrug didn’t stop there. He scored in the group-stage clash against Spain and contributed both a goal and an assist in the match against Costa Rica. Though Germany failed to progress beyond the group stage, Füllkrug was the only German player to significantly increase his market value during the World Cup, firmly establishing his role within the national team.

This summer, Füllkrug has continued his impressive form. BD Cricket confirms he has already scored twice in the group stage of the European Championship, including the decisive stoppage-time equalizer that secured Germany’s top spot in the group. His story proves that some stars take longer to shine—but when they do, their light is impossible to ignore.