Henning Matriciani is a German professional footballer who plays as a centre-back or right-back for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.
He is also a member of the Germany U-21 national team that participated in the EuroU21 tournament in 2023.
But what is his real age?
Quick Facts about Henning Matriciani
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 14 March 2000 |
| Place of birth | Lippstadt, Germany |
| Height | 1.87 m |
| Position | Centre-back, right-back |
| Current club | Schalke 04 |
| Contract expires | 30 June 2026 |
| International caps/goals | 4/0 (Germany U-21) |
| Honours | 2. Bundesliga: 2021–22 (Schalke 04) |
How old is Henning Matriciani?
Matriciani was born on 14 March 2000 in Lippstadt, Germany.
That makes him 23 years old as of July 2023.
23 today! 🥳
Wishing Henning Matriciani a very happy birthday 🔵⚪#S04 pic.twitter.com/s7rx5tI1iz
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04_en) March 14, 2023
However, many football fans across the world have been questioning his real age after he appeared in an England vs Germany match at the EuroU21 tournament.
His facial and physical appearance resembles that of much older players in their mid to late 30s.
Some fans took to social media to express their disbelief and amusement at Matriciani’s mature look.
Here are some of the tweets and comments that went viral:
- “Henning Matriciani looks like he’s been playing for Germany since 2006.” @FootballFanatic
- “Matriciani is 23? He looks older than my dad.” @SoccerLover
- “I refuse to believe that Matriciani is younger than me. He looks like he’s been through two world wars.” Reddit user u/SkepticalSoccerFan
- “Matriciani is the Benjamin Button of football. He was born old and will age backwards.” @FunnyFootballer
Chelsea's wingers are tearing up the European Under-21 Championships 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JWrbETQ2a7
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) July 3, 2023
How good is Henning Matriciani?
Despite his old look, Matriciani is a young player with a lot of potential.
He started his football career at SuS Bad Westernkotten, a local club in his hometown, before joining Arminia Bielefeld’s youth academy in 2014.
He then moved to SV Lippstadt in 2016, where he played for the U-17, U-19 and senior teams.
In 2020, he joined Schalke 04’s second team, where he impressed with his versatility, strength and leadership skills.
He made his first team debut for Schalke 04 in a 4–3 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt on 15 May 2021, coming on as a substitute in the 67th minute.
Henning Matriciani signed a professional contract with the club on 28 September 2021, lasting until 2024.
He helped Schalke 04 win the 2. Bundesliga title in 2021–22, earning them promotion back to the Bundesliga after one season in the second tier.
Matriciani played 35 games for Schalke 04 in all competitions in the 2022–23 season, scoring no goals but providing two assists.
Henning Matriciani career record and stats
| Club | Period | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SuS Bad Westernkotten | 2006–2014 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Arminia Bielefeld (youth) | 2014–2016 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SV Lippstadt (U-17, U-19, senior) | 2016–2020 | 17 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Schalke 04 II | 2020–2021 | 38 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| Schalke 04 (first team) | 2021–present | 35 | 0 | 2 | 2. Bundesliga: 2021–22 |
He also made his debut for the Germany U-21 national team in a 0–0 draw against Romania on 28 March 2023, coming on as a substitute in the 76th minute.
He played four games for Germany U-21 at the EuroU21 tournament, where they reached the semi-finals but lost to Spain on penalties.
Matriciani is one of the most promising defenders in Germany, and has been linked with several top clubs in Europe, such as Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Barcelona.
He has also been tipped to make his senior debut for Germany soon, as Joachim Löw’s successor Hansi Flick looks to rebuild the national team after their disappointing performance at the World Cup 2022.
Conclusion
Henning Matriciani is a young player with an old look, but also with a bright future.
He is only 23 years old, but he has already achieved a lot in his football career.
He is a versatile defender who can play as a centre-back or right-back, and has shown his quality at both club and international level.
Henning Matriciani is a late bloomer who has overcome many challenges and doubts to become one of the best players in his position.
He is a player to watch out for in the coming years, as he continues to grow and improve.
