Oliver Baumann’s Rise: From Hoffenheim Captain to Germany’s Number One Goalkeeper

A Late but Deserved Rise to National Glory

Oliver Baumann has finally reached the pinnacle of his career, becoming Germany’s first-choice goalkeeper at the age of 34, following years of dependable service in the Bundesliga.

Recent Achievements and Milestones

TSG Hoffenheim’s captain has recently extended his contract with the club, with the 35-year-old German goalkeeper committing his future beyond June 2026. His impressive tenure at Hoffenheim, which began in July 2014, has seen him become the club’s record appearance-maker with 403 competitive matches, including 28 DFB-Pokal games, eight Champions League appearances, and 25 Europa League matches.

His excellence between the posts was particularly evident in the 2023/24 season, where he made over 150 saves – more than any other goalkeeper in the past five Bundesliga campaigns.

International Career Breakthrough

Baumann’s international journey began in September 2020 when he received his first call-up to the German national team under Joachim Löw. His dedication finally paid off with his debut in a 1-0 victory against the Netherlands on 14 October 2024, and he has since accumulated four international caps for Germany.

Current Form and Future Prospects

In recent international duty, Baumann featured in Germany’s World Cup qualifying match against Slovakia, where despite a 2-0 defeat, he played the full 90 minutes. At 35 years old, he continues to demonstrate his reliability between the posts.

Looking ahead, Baumann remains ambitious, stating that he hasn’t reached the end of his journey and believes in an exciting future ahead with his team. His commitment to the club’s new direction shows his confidence in the team’s potential for success.