Goalkeeper of ducks in Champions – Corriere.it

Sooner or later the mosaic falls into place. Loris Karius, 29 years old, goalkeeper and football promise, handsome and always very envied (1.9 million followers on Instagram, where he alternates the exposure of his tattooed pecs with that of new clothes to wear) has been through a lot before finding the field and above all the authentic smile. The merit of Diletta Leotta, with whom he has been engaged since October last year and will soon have a son with her? Or even the return to goal among the ranks of Newcastle, albeit as a third? It is probable that it is then the sum that makes up the total and Karius is now finally happy. The Dazn journalist was fundamental in his path of rebirth after a depression had anesthetized him. When Karius put his goalkeeper gloves back on a month ago, two years after his last match, in the Carabao Cup against Manchester United, Diletta encouraged him with a long love letter. Challenge won by United (2-0) but the German number one avoided the trio several times with his interventions.

From top to flop to rebirth

Karius, from rags to riches finished there five years ago, earned 4 million pounds a year, was the rising star of Liverpool but in the match against Real Madrid in the Champions League final he gave away the victory and the Cup to the blancos due to his uncertainties (branded by everyone as ducks). The sense of guilt crushed him for a long time, the nightmare of that Champions League night always came back to his mind, even when he moved on loan to Turkey (to Besiktas) and when he returned to Germany (to Union Berlin). as if his career had stopped on that evening of 2018 when the world collapsed on him and he became the goalkeeper of the ducks. Yet Klopp defended him, justified his amnesia between the posts, also recounting the trauma suffered in a clash with Sergio Ramos who, in full area, elbowed him in the head causing a concussion. But Karius was no longer him, wherever he went he carried the prejudice and pressure of always having to prove that he wasn’t (and isn’t) the goalkeeper of that nightmarish evening. Before that unfortunate night with Liverpool Karius managed to get 22 clean sheets in 49 games, including 13 out of 29 in the Premier League. Afterwards, he only played 72, until his return with Newcastle in the Carabao Cup (due to the unavailability of the starting and second goalkeeper).

Childhood and family

As a child, Kary (this was his nickname) had to convince his father Harald, who wanted him to become a motocross rider, that football was his world instead. His is an upper middle class German family. The father was a motocross champion known throughout Germany, he was forced to stop due to a serious knee injury. And Loris, in an attempt to prove him wrong, attended the Pestalozzi-Gymnasium Biberach where he took private lessons on the role of goalkeeper. And he did it thanks above all to his grandfather Karl who died before his debut in the Premier League. I have my grandfather’s name on a tattoo, and then I have guardian angels there for him. I know he’s still looking at me, she said in an interview. Beautiful as the sun, mother Christine’s coconut, Karius passionate about tattoos (he has many, each with a meaning), art, home hobbies, relaxation by the sea … and of course women. The longest relationship (2 years) with the German model Annelie Alpert. Since October, Diletta Leotta has been in his life who will make him a father, finally a happy father. Handsome, rich and famous again. The sporting stain that conditioned the best moment of his career has finally faded.