From a failed trial to the Champions League final
In short: Before becoming a Serie A star, Robin Gosens faced a professional fiasco. After failing a trial with Borussia Dortmund, the German defender rebuilt his career through the Dutch leagues, eventually becoming one of Italy's most prolific wing-backs and a Champions League finalist.
Robin Gosens' professional journey began with a setback that he personally described as a fiasco: a failed trial with the Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund. Following this, he joined the youth setup of the Dutch club Vitesse on 4 July 2012, eventually signing his first professional contract on 13 August 2013. His path to elite football was not immediate, involving loans to FC Dordrecht and moves to Heracles Almelo before he reached the heights of Italian football.
At Atalanta, Gosens established himself as a premier wing-back, noted for his unusual offensive output for a defender. During the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons, he scored 10 and 12 goals respectively, figures described as unprecedentedly high for his position. His success in Serie A led to a move to Inter Milan in early 2022, where he scored against Barcelona at Camp Nou, and eventually a Champions League final appearance with the club in June 2023.
Beyond the pitch, Gosens has navigated significant personal and professional shifts. He holds both German and Dutch citizenship, a reflection of his upbringing in Elten, which was under Dutch administration from 1949 until 1963. In addition to his footballing career, he earned a B.Sc. in Psychology from the SRH Fernhochschule on 22 February 2023. His international career with Germany has seen highs, such as a Star of the Match performance against Portugal in June 2021, and lows, including exclusion from the 2022 FIFA World Cup due to a loss of rhythm.
Currently, Gosens plays for Schalke 04 on loan from Fiorentina, a move finalized for the 2026–27 season following a conditional obligation to buy. His career remains a testament to resilience, moving from local clubs like Fortuna Elten to the highest levels of European club competition.
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