Overview
Benedikt Höwedes is a former German professional footballer who established himself as a versatile and reliable defender during his career. Born on February 29, 1988, in Haltern am See, Germany, Höwedes became synonymous with FC Schalke 04, where he spent 16 years, including a decade in the senior team. His career was marked by consistent performances, strong leadership qualities, and an ability to adapt to various defensive positions, earning him a place in the German national team that triumphed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Position
Höwedes primarily operated as a centre-back throughout his career, a role where his aerial ability, tactical intelligence, and physical presence were most effectively utilized. However, his versatility was a defining trait; he was frequently deployed as a left-back or right-back when required, both at club and international level. This adaptability made him a valuable asset to his managers, offering defensive solidity across the backline without a significant drop in performance. His stint as a left-back during Germany's 2014 World Cup campaign is a testament to this positional flexibility.
Identity
Benedikt Höwedes's footballing identity can be encapsulated as a 'dependable, versatile, and committed defender'. He was not known for flashy attacking runs or intricate dribbling, but rather for his defensive diligence, strong tackling, and organizational skills. His leadership qualities were evident early in his career, culminating in him captaining Schalke 04 for several seasons. Höwedes consistently brought a professional and disciplined approach to his game, making him a cornerstone of the defenses he anchored.
Career path
Benedikt Höwedes's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of local clubs before he joined the renowned FC Schalke 04 academy.
Youth Career and Schalke 04 Breakthrough
Höwedes joined Schalke 04's youth system in 2001, progressing through their various age groups. He quickly rose through the ranks, demonstrating potential as a robust and intelligent defender. His performances for the youth teams led to him signing his first professional contract with Schalke in 2007, just ahead of the 2007-08 season. He made his UEFA Champions League debut on October 3, 2007, against Rosenborg BK, and his Bundesliga debut three days later against Karlsruher SC [Transfermarkt]. He rapidly established himself as a regular starter, becoming a key figure in Schalke's defense.
Schalke 04 Tenure (2007-2018)
Höwedes spent the vast majority of his senior career at Schalke 04, becoming a club icon. Over 11 seasons, he made 335 appearances across all competitions, scoring 23 goals [Transfermarkt]. During his time, he won the DFB-Pokal in 2011 and the DFL-Supercup in the same year. He was appointed club captain in 2011, a role he held until 2017, underscoring his influence and leadership within the squad. His loyalty and consistent performances endeared him to the Schalke faithful.
Loan to Juventus (2017-2018)
In August 2017, Höwedes moved to Italian club Juventus FC on a season-long loan with an option to buy [Transfermarkt]. While at Juventus, he made 16 appearances and scored 1 goal, contributing to their Serie A and Coppa Italia triumphs. Injuries limited his involvement, but he still played a part in a double-winning season.
Lokomotiv Moscow (2018-2020)
Following his loan spell, Höwedes joined Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow in July 2018 on a permanent transfer [Transfermarkt]. He quickly became a regular starter, helping Lokomotiv win the Russian Cup in 2019 and the Russian Super Cup in 2019. He made 44 appearances for the club before announcing his retirement from professional football in July 2020 at the age of 32 [Wikipedia].
Playing style
Benedikt Höwedes was characterized by a playing style rooted in defensive solidity, tactical discipline, and physical strength. His attributes made him a highly effective defender capable of performing across various roles in the backline.
Defensive Attributes
As a centre-back, Höwedes excelled in aerial duels. His height of 1.87 m and excellent timing allowed him to dominate in the air, both in defensive clearances and attacking set-pieces. He possessed strong tackling ability, often winning the ball cleanly and preventing opposition forwards from turning. His positional awareness was also a key strength, enabling him to anticipate danger and make crucial interceptions. Data from his later career at Lokomotiv Moscow highlighted his consistent defensive output, including a high number of clearances and blocked shots per 90 minutes [Sofascore].
Versatility and Adaptability
One of Höwedes's most notable traits was his versatility. While primarily a centre-back, he was adept at playing as a right-back or left-back. This positional flexibility was particularly evident during Germany's 2014 World Cup campaign, where he played every minute of the tournament as a left-back, showcasing his ability to adapt to a less familiar role at the highest level. In wider defensive positions, he demonstrated good defensive recovery pace and a solid understanding of when to push forward or hold his position.
Distribution and Leadership
While not a deep-lying playmaker, Höwedes was reliable in possession. He typically opted for safe, accurate passes to maintain possession and initiate attacks, rather than attempting overly ambitious long balls. His passing accuracy, particularly in short to medium ranges, was consistently high. Beyond his technical skills, Höwedes was a natural leader. He captained Schalke 04 for six seasons, demonstrating his ability to organize the defense, motivate teammates, and communicate effectively on the pitch. His leadership was a crucial aspect of his overall contribution to any team he represented.
Achievements & honours
Benedikt Höwedes enjoyed a successful career, accumulating significant club and international honours, most notably the FIFA World Cup with Germany.
Club Honours
During his extensive tenure at Schalke 04 and subsequent spells in Italy and Russia, Höwedes contributed to several trophy successes:
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Schalke 04 | DFB-Pokal | 2010–11 |
| Schalke 04 | DFL-Supercup | 2011 |
| Juventus | Serie A | 2017–18 |
| Juventus | Coppa Italia | 2017–18 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | Russian Cup | 2018–19 |
| Lokomotiv Moscow | Russian Super Cup | 2019 |
International Honours
Höwedes's most significant achievement came on the international stage with the German national team:
- FIFA World Cup: 2014 [FIFA.com]
He also achieved success at youth international level, winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2009 with Germany [UEFA.com].
International career
Benedikt Höwedes represented the German national team across various age groups before making his senior debut and becoming a FIFA World Cup winner.
Youth International Levels
Höwedes was a prominent figure in Germany's youth national teams. He played for the Germany U18, U19, U20, and U21 squads. His most notable achievement at this level was winning the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2009. He was a key defender in the team that defeated England 4-0 in the final, alongside future senior internationals like Mesut Özil and Mats Hummels [UEFA.com].
Senior National Team Debut and World Cup Success
Höwedes made his senior debut for the Germany national team on May 29, 2011, in a friendly match against Uruguay [Transfermarkt]. He quickly became a regular call-up, valued for his defensive consistency and versatility. His international career highlight undoubtedly came at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Despite primarily being a centre-back at club level, then-manager Joachim Löw deployed Höwedes as Germany's starting left-back for the entire tournament [FIFA.com]. He played every minute of all seven matches, demonstrating exceptional defensive discipline and contributing significantly to Germany's historic triumph.
Post-World Cup and Retirement
After the World Cup victory, Höwedes continued to represent Germany, participating in the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament where Germany reached the semi-finals. He earned a total of 44 caps for the German national team, scoring 2 goals [Transfermarkt]. His final international appearance came in a friendly against Denmark in June 2017. He retired from international football in 2017, following his move to Juventus.
What makes Benedikt Höwedes stand out
Benedikt Höwedes stood out due to a combination of his unwavering defensive reliability, exceptional versatility, and strong leadership qualities.
His ability to perform at a high level across all four defensive positions – centre-back, left-back, and right-back – made him an invaluable asset for both club and country. This positional flexibility was most famously showcased during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he seamlessly transitioned to left-back for the entire tournament, contributing significantly to Germany's success without being a specialist in that role. Furthermore, his commitment and dedication to his teams were evident through his long tenure and captaincy at Schalke 04, where he embodied the club's values on the pitch. He was a player who consistently put the team first, delivering robust performances without seeking individual acclaim.
"Benedikt was always a player you could rely on, a true professional and leader." – Joachim Löw