Leroy Sané has found his form again after a difficult year. The FC Bayern attacker now wants to join the national team again and reveals that the Champions League title is more important to him than his salary.
After his long injury break, Leroy Sané is getting better and better. The FC Bayern striker was in Munich’s starting line-up for the first time this season in the 1-0 win against St. Pauli. He also fought his way back into the team with the national team.
Ask: Mr. Sané, you are coming back from a long-term injury and have to play your way back into the team both with the national team and with Bayern. How difficult is the balancing act of going full throttle without risking another injury?
Leroy Sané: We had a clear plan since my groin surgery at the beginning of July. The exchange with Julian Nagelsmann and Vincent Kompany is very good. Personally, I have to find a good dosage, especially when I come on as a substitute for 20 or 30 minutes, because of course I always want to do something on the pitch. I was able to start at Bayern twice recently, which helps. I’m happy to be back at 100 percent, I’ve found my way into it well in the last few games, now I want to get into the flow as quickly as possible. I’m ready and excited for the year-end spurt.
Ask: What meaning did the Germany jersey have for you as a child?
Sane: During the home European Championships, I often remembered the time when, as a boy, I stood at the public viewing. It was precisely through social media that I saw what it meant to the people and especially to the kids to see us play and how much joy it gave them to wear the Germany jersey again. That makes me proud and shows me what can be achieved in and for the country. That’s one of the best feelings ever and it makes you humble that we have a responsibility and that not everything can be taken for granted. It is a special thing for me to represent the German colors and an honor every time.
Ask: This time you were nominated later and want to get back into the starting line-up. The 2026 World Cup will take place in the USA alongside Canada and Mexico. You own a house in Los Angeles. Would you consider the States your adopted home?
Sane: You can say that, yes. My wife Candice comes from the USA, we often go on vacation there, I like the vibe in LA, I can also cross the street or go out to eat with the family without being disturbed. I like taking selfies and giving autographs, but if no one recognizes you, that’s nice too. And of course my goal is to play a key role at the World Cup. At the European Championships, I wasn’t able to do that as I had planned due to my symptoms, but that should change in 2026.
Ask: In the summer, the national players of FC Bayern and Dortmund could face both the “Final Four” tournament of the Nations League and, shortly afterwards, the Club World Cup. Is the burden too high for professionals?
Sane: I like having three games in a week. Even in the different competitions, the rhythm is cool and I like it. Of course, in individual cases you have to be careful and sometimes take a player out. There has to be a connection between coaches, those responsible and the team so that there is no overload and injuries.
Ask: The big question is which club you will be under contract with during the Club World Cup – the tournament extends beyond June 30, 2025. Your working paper at Bayern ends on this day.
Sane: I have confidence in myself, in the situation and also in my club. We are in a transparent and relaxed exchange. I now want to be on the pitch regularly again and enjoy my time on the pitch. We’re playing really well at the moment, the mood is great. I want to jump on this bandwagon and do my part.
Ask: That sounds like a great appreciation for FC Bayern.
Sane: I feel really good, the conversations with Vinni (Kompany; d. Red.), Max Eberl and Christoph Freund are very good and trustworthy. That’s why my thoughts are currently only with FC Bayern, we’ll see everything else in the next few weeks and months.
Ask: Can Kompany, who you played with at Manchester City, become the deciding factor in the end?
Sane: We both actually know each other well. We play decent attacking football under Vinni. We have fun on the pitch under his leadership, that’s important to me and of course it also plays a role in my decision.
Ask: What is the most important factor for a contract extension at Bayern?
Sane: It’s about the overall package, not individual factors. I feel comfortable in the club and in the dressing room. What matters to me is that I am an important part of FC Bayern’s plans and I would like to confirm this role. In general, the coach and the playing philosophy are very important to me. I spend a lot of time on it because I always want to develop my game further. These two factors fit together really well.
Ask: Does it bother you that during the contract discussion the topic is always that you would have to forego your salary? You are said to have already given up a considerable amount when you moved from City to Bayern in 2020?
Sane: The topic isn’t even on my mind at the moment. And for me, how much I earn is generally not my top priority. To be honest, I haven’t given it a second thought. Like I said, it’s about the whole package. What is my position? How does the club see me? What is the game philosophy? Can we achieve something big together like winning the Champions League? These are the things that are important to me first and foremost.
Ask: Have you and your family now settled in Munich?
Sane: We feel super comfortable, at home in Munich and enjoy it. That’s a big factor.
Ask: Manchester United and Arsenal FC are interested in you. Does the Premier League still appeal to you?
Sane: I have a fondness for the league and still follow certain games on TV. But the attraction for me lies in the club where I can show my best performance, develop and win titles. I have that at FC Bayern. This is where I have my biggest challenge and goals.
Ask: You could sign anywhere from January 1st as your contract expires. Do you have a schedule in mind?
Sane: I will definitely not sign for another club on January 1st or 2nd. I don’t need a quick decision. I want to gain maximum momentum by winter and get as many wins as possible with FC Bayern. As I said, I trust the situation and myself.
Ask: Your best friend in the team is Jamal Musiala. Is Jamal more than just a friendly teammate for you and can he be a factor in an extension?
Sane: I feel totally comfortable with Jamal, on and off the pitch, we have fun together. Not only is he a very good player, but he has become a real friend. I can very well imagine going on vacation with Jamal after spending time together in a club. We are more than “gamer friends”, much more than just normal colleagues. I hope we continue to play together for a long time. But even if that were no longer the case, we would remain friends. Our team spirit is generally good. We also have really talented, great footballers with a lot of potential. This has happened many times before, but now the drive is even greater: because the Champions League final in Munich is taking place in our stadium. If we put the pieces of the puzzle together at FC Bayern, we can achieve the big thing.
Ask: In the national team you were back on the pitch together with Florian Wirtz. Is he a player that FC Bayern needs to secure for the future?
Sane: Flo is a great player, but I don’t know his plans for the future. I’m lucky to play with Flo here. When I saw him for the first time at the DFB, I thought to myself: “Oops, what is that?” He showed great quality very early on.
The article was written for the Sports Competence Center (WELT, SPORT PICTURE, BILD) written and first published in SPORT BILD.
