Faith, Golf, Grips: This is Christoph Baumgartner
Whether it was at the European Championship against France and Turkey or in the Nations League against Slovenia - Christoph Baumgartner had the chances to turn a very good year for the ÖFB team into an extraordinary one. The fact that he failed did not diminish his popularity. The fans of the national team have long since chosen the 25-year-old as their favourite, and now the Bundesliga coaches also honoured Baumgartner's performances for Red-White-Red by naming him Footballer of the Year.
Baumgartner "Difference Maker"
At the latest this year, the Leipzig professional has stepped out of the shadows of David Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer. Baumgartner is now considered the national team's biggest offensive weapon, for which he scored seven goals in 2024 - more than anyone else. He is a "difference maker", team coach Ralf Rangnick never tires of emphasising. His ingenuity and technique, but above all his sense for free spaces between the opposing lines, make Baumgartner indispensable for the national coach.
But the Lower Austrian not only knows how to impress on the pitch. At the grammar school in St. Pölten, he was allowed to skip the 7th grade - on his own initiative, as he told the APA. The local academy ends after the 7th grade. Baumgartner would therefore have had to continue school in Germany for two more years immediately after leaving the academy if he had moved to Hoffenheim. "That's why I approached the school management to skip a grade. This was approved quite quickly because nobody was afraid that I wouldn't make it. I then also completed my high school diploma with excellent success. This way, I was able to fully concentrate on football from the first day in Hoffenheim."
Baumgartner does not see himself as an "intelligence beast" because of this. "I quickly figured out what the important things to learn were and was able to learn them quite well," said the Germany-based player.
Golf and Stocks
Besides, he likes to look beyond the horizon, says Baumgartner. Evidence of this includes his social commitment in Uganda. "I can bring things that are important to me into the public eye with the radiance I have as a national player," said the ÖFB international. Baumgartner is also interested in golf ("A good balance to football") and stock prices. "I am a shareholder myself, listen to podcasts on this topic and try to learn from them. Otherwise, I am a normal guy who wants to spend a lot of time with his fiancée and our dog."
His long-time partner Sandrine Sobotka once played for SV Neulengbach, now she has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. "She is incredibly important to me, also in terms of sports. For example, I have the perfect mental coach at home. She supports me a lot and is always behind me, especially after the Turkey match, when I was bitterly disappointed. Often it's not big words - just that she is there and hugs me," Baumgartner explained.
Baumgartner is Religious
The "Footballer of the Year" draws strength not only from his relationship but also from his close ties to his family and his faith. "For me, it's an anchor that supports me, and for me, faith is talking to God, and I do that more for myself alone," said Baumgartner. However, a church visit is on the agenda for Christmas - and with it probably a fervent prayer for an extraordinary year 2025, in which the Waldviertler does not want to miss the chance to participate in the World Cup.
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.