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Vitalie Becker: I’ve worked towards this moment for many years
For more than 12 years, Vitalie Becker has been a Royal Blue. Aged eight, he switched from SV Zweckel to the U9s at FC Schalke 04, and the left-footer has since come through the ranks of every youth team at the Knappenschmiede. On Friday (1/8), he finally fulfilled his big dream against Hertha BSC. “I’ve worked towards this moment for many years,” said the 20-year-old, who was named in the starting XI against the Berliners and was able to celebrate his professional debut.
Becker had only found out about his place in the starting formation on matchday. “In the training session before the game, it seemed like I was going to be named in the first XI,” reported the homegrown Schalker. Of course this turned out to be true after the team meeting on the morning of the outing against the team from the capital. He was still fairly nervous in the hours leading up to kick off, he admitted. “It was an evening game, so it was a long day,” said the native Bottroper, grinning. “But I didn’t drive myself crazy. The excitement outweighed any nerves.”
Becker was not the only Knappenschmiede graduate on the pitch. Coming on against the Berliners was also Max Grüger, a best friend of the debutant since childhood, as well as substitutes Taylan Bulut and Mertcan Ayhan. Even Becker’s namesake Timo spent a number of years in FC Schalke 04’s academy. If you count Fabian Reese on the Berlin side in this number, there were actually six former players from the Knappenschmiede.
Standing out on the pitch just gives you goosebumps. I almost can’t find the words to describe what I got to experience.
For Becker, it’s no coincidence. “We all enjoyed outstanding training over the years at Schalke,” praised the left-footer, and went on to thank his mentors, above all U19 coach Norbert Elgert. He texted Becker shortly after the final whistle, revealed the 20-year-old. “That meant so much to me.”
In addition to that came hundreds of further congratulatory messages on his phone, which he will now gradually answer. Presumably, also some asking how it felt to run out in the sold out VELTINS-Arena. Becker: “Standing out on the pitch just gives you goosebumps. I almost can’t find the words to describe what I got to experience. I’m ecstatic, and I hope that in the coming weeks and months I’ll get more opportunities.”
Who ultimately takes to the field is up to the head coach. “I’ll try my best day after day in training and try to show what I can do,” promised the youngster. The question remains, what happened to the shirt he wore against Hertha. Becker also has the answer to this: “That’ll be framed and put in a special place in my house!”
