Leroy Sane’s journey blends the prowess of football and the finesse of gymnastics, a testament to his genetic heritage. His balance, inherited from his mother, and speed, from his father, set him apart early on. Born on January 11th, year 1996, in Essen, Germany, to Souleyman Sané and Regina Weber, Leroy grew up in a family steeped in athletic achievement.
Despite the challenges, including racial abuse faced by his father Souleymane during his football career, the Sané family remained resilient. Souleymane, a former professional footballer, endured appalling racism during his playing days, yet maintained a dignified silence in the face of adversity. His courage and skill on the field captivated Regina Weber, one of Germany’s celebrated athletes, leading to their union which challenged stereotypes and inspired change.
This is the story of Leroy Sane, shaped by the legacy of his family’s athletic excellence and resilience in the face of adversity.
The analysis of Leroy Sane’s biography covers his life story before he became famous, his family background, and numerous little-known facts about his life both on and off the pitch.
While Leroy Sane is celebrated alongside talents like Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden as one of the best right wingers of his generation, his biography remains a fascinating tale that few have explored in depth. So, let’s delve into Leroy Sane’s captivating journey without further delay.
Leroy Sane Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:
For starters, Leroy Aziz Sané was born on January 11, 1996, in Essen, Germany, to Souleyman Sané and Regina Weber.
His parents were immigrants. Leroy’s father, Souleyman, originally from Senegal, moved to Germany for his football career. Interestingly, Souleyman shares his name with Malick Thiaw‘s father, who also hails from Senegal.
On the other hand, Leroy Sane’s mum, Regina Weber, has her family origin in France. She settled in Germany after giving an opportunity in gymnastics.
When you bring Footballer and Gymnastics together, it is clear that genetics can produce something rather special. The end product was the magical one, that is, Leroy Sane.
Leroy inherited his balance from his Mum and speed from his Dad. For many, It was indeed a good fortune to have two professional athletes for parents.
During his childhood, Sane didn’t aspire to be a footballer.
In his words:
“I never wanted to be a professional footballer. I wanted to become astronaut but later realized that the profession wasn’t my calling. When I was 16 or 17, I still haven’t gone to parties. I had only one hobby – playing with the soccer ball.”
Talking to those who know Sane best reveals a family with exceptional sporting talent.
He was raised in the district of Wattenscheid, amidst the industrial heartlands of the Ruhr Valley.
Leroy Sane Biography – Early Life in Football:
For starters, Leroy Sane is the latest diamond to be mined from a Schalke production line that has also produced Neuer, Ozil and Benedikt Howedes in recent times.
Thou his career began at SG Wattenscheid 09–his local football team–at the age of five.
Leroy still owes his dad for creating the bedrock of his career. This also includes his elder brother, as seen in the picture below.
According to Leroy, “I played with my father a lot when I was younger.”
“My brother and I used to coax him, saying ‘come on, you’ve got to play with us!’ He would always end up in goal, and we’d take shots at him.
Later on, he became our personal coach. Our dad was quite disciplined, which showed in his coaching style.”
It was at the age of eight that young Leroy left Wattenscheid for Schalke. ‘At that age, he has a brilliant left foot,’ says Ruhnert, his youth coach.
After starting his football journey with Bayer Leverkusen in 2005, Leroy Sane returned to Schalke in 2011 and signed his first professional contract there in March 2014.
Just a month later, he made his Bundesliga debut against VfB Stuttgart. Sane also earned his first cap for Germany Under-21s in September 2015. His standout performances at Schalke caught the attention of Manchester City, leading to his transfer. The rest, as they say, is history.
Leroy Sane Family Life:
Starting off, the Leroy Sane family has been one many footballers would love to emulate. It is a family of real sporting prowess. The family’s sporting success is witnessed by all seen in the family photo below.
About Leroy Sane’s Father:
The Baller’s Dad, Souleymane Sane, was a Bundesliga star and Senegal international. He spent parts of his career in the top tiers of German football with FC Nurnberg and SG Wattenscheid.
Souleymane Sane was a powerful and speedy footballer during his time. He was known to have run 100m with the ball in 10.7 seconds during his time.
Popularly known as “Samy,” he scored 51 goals in 174 Bundesliga matches and 65 goals in 152 appearances in the second tier.
When the father Souleymane played here, he suffered the most terrible racist abuse.
If he played away at Hamburg or Frankfurt, there would be bananas thrown onto the pitch, monkey gestures and the “ooh-ooh-aah-aahs” directed at him.
Souleymane never confronted the fans and was extraordinarily tolerant. In fact, Leroy Sane’s Dad only did his talking on the pitch.
The Federation at the time did very little to address racism issues. Immigration at that time was a new thing. It would never be allowed to happen these days, and, thankfully, the boys have never had a problem.
Souleymane was an advocate who stood out in a non-violent way, using the media to promote peace, even while continually abused by racist fans.
He was the most racially abused black person in German football during his time. In fact, every German racist called him football’s most ugly man.
It is this media advocacy that made Regina Weber fall in love with him. Their marriage sent shockwaves to racist fans who never believed one of the most popular German female athletes would fall in love with him.
Both were said to have great influence over one another.
About Leroy Sane’s Mother:
His mother, Regina Weber, is a 1984 Olympic bronze medalist in gymnastics. She was once regarded as the unpopular athlete who took the Olympic Games in Los Angeles by storm.
According to Leroy, “Gymnastics is not my kind of sport,” he said. “But I have spoken to her about it, and I know she was good. She was third in the Olympic Games.
I think she was the first from Germany to win the Bronze medal. I am very proud of this.”
Regina devoted plenty of trips to helping her son settle during his first season with City. A photo showing her engagement in gymnastics is presented below.
About Leroy Sane Brothers:
Leroy has two brothers who had their careers start at Schalke 04. Leroy’s elder brother, Kim, once had trials with FC Koln.
He was born in Innsbruck, Austria. He started his career as a defender, unlike the rest of his younger brothers, who are wingers.
As observed in the previous family photo, Leroy has a little brother called Sidi, who is eight years older than him.
Sidi is currently in Schalke Academy and making headlines at the time of writing this biography.
Many who know him believe his natural talent is greater than that of Leroy’s.
German media had once suggested that Sidi hoped to join his big brother in Manchester someday. For now, he feels he should remain in Germany.
Their dad had made sure his three boys followed in his footsteps. He began training them himself at the Wattenscheid training field at the kickoff of their career.
This was where he regularly trained in the early Nineties.
Indeed, Souleymane Sane gave birth to wonderful and, most especially, handsome boys. What a strong gene he has over his wife as regards the skin colour appearance of his offspring.
Leroy Sane Love Life – Girlfriend, Wife, Children?
Just like Danny Drinkwater, Ousmane Dembele, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and teammate Gabriel Jesus, Leroy Sane’s relationship is currently unknown.
Also, there has been no report of relationship scandals, as in the case of Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial.
Leroy Sane’s Girlfriend must be pretty comfortable with her man even though he decides to make the status of his relationship silent and against the prying eyes of the media.
His parents must be responsible for the guidance on this. However, he hopes to make a clean announcement and follow in the footsteps of Roberto Firmino, Marcus Rashford and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Favorite Meal:
He says his favourite meal is penne carbonara. And like any normal day for most people, Sane pours himself a bowl of cereal.
Today’s choice of breakfast for the German is the all-American Fruit Loops.
He eats and walks at the same time. Here, the German star walks out onto his incredible balcony, which has a swimming pool.
After eating, Sane carves out some time for push-ups.
Followed by doing a brisk jog on a bare chest.
Leroy Sane Biography – History with Mesut Ozil:
Leroy Sane and Mesut Ozil grew up in the same hometown in Germany, and both attended the FC Schalke 04 youth system.
Thou Ozil was about five years more advanced than Leroy. When it comes to childhood experience, Leroy is more favoured than Ozil whose parents were very poor.
Leroy Sane Facts – His Idol:
It also helped that he grew up a Barcelona supporter, with Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi as his role models.
However, he sees Pep as his mentor. Pep got so much likeness for Leroy Sane during his spell in Germany.
Leroy Sane Biography – Style of Play:
This sets him apart. He is special because of his technique, balance, shooting and speed. Also, Sane’s party piece is his ability to ‘nutmeg’ his opponents – knock it through their legs.
“I’ve been doing it for a long time. When I was young, every time I played, if I could nutmeg, I would do it. It’s not to annoy the other player. In my head, it’s a way of getting past a defender, and that’s why I do it.”
When he is compared to another player who witnessed similar fame, A young Ryan Giggs would be a good comparison.
Giggs could play everywhere on the pitch; he was always moving. Leroy is a little more old-fashioned, like Giggs at the beginning.
Leroy is on the wing, and he stays on the wing; he likes to have the chalk on his boots.
‘He can also play behind the strikers. It’s a question of age.
If you want to play at Manchester City at his age, normally, the best way to get in would be to play out wide at the start. After a while, he will play in behind. He is so fast that you can’t stop him.’
Leroy Sane Biography – Birthday Mates:
Leroy shares his birthday with fellow footballers Emile Heskey, Jamie Vardy and singer Mary J Blige.
The Most Expensive German Footballer:
Leroy Sane has been crowned as the most expensive German footballer of all time. His transfer to Man City was that of true significance.
Manchester City has paid Schalke an initial £37million, but the deal rose to £42m after certain add-on fees were fulfilled. As I conclude Leroy’s story, he is said to be enjoying life at his Bayern best.
This also makes him Sane, the most expensive acquisition of Pep Guardiola’s first summer in English football.
His deal usurps figures paid for World Cup winners Mesut Ozil, Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze and Manuel Neuer.
Leroy Sane Biography – FIFA Facts:
The following are his FIFA 17 facts obtained from FutHead. Leroy Sane FIFA 18 facts, without a doubt, is one that’ll surely showcase the recent growth of the footballer.