Diletta Leotta praises former Liverpool goalie after his stunning return to football on his Schalke debut

Loris Karius, the 31-year-old goalkeeper, has made a successful return to competitive football after a year-long hiatus. The former Newcastle United player signed with Schalke in January, seeking to revitalize his career in Germany’s second division. His move to Schalke came after a prolonged period away from first-team action, having last played for Newcastle United in February 2023, during a 4-1 defeat against Arsenal.

Loris Karius shines in Schalke debut

Although initially serving as second-choice goalkeeper behind Justin Heekeren, Karius was finally given a chance to start in Schalke’s match against Preussen Munster. The match, held on Friday night, marked Karius’ first appearance for the club. The goalkeeper seized the opportunity with a series of crucial saves, playing a vital role in Schalke’s narrow victory. 

His standout moment came in the closing stages of the match when he made a sensational double save to deny efforts from Niko Koulis and David Kinsombi, showcasing his shot-stopping ability.

Leotta’s heartwarming reaction

Loris Karius’ partner, DAZN presenter Diletta Leotta, expressed her pride in his performance by sharing a clip of his celebrations on social media. The video captured Karius being hailed as the team’s MVP, with Leotta’s caption reading “MVP.” 

Following the match, Karius and Leotta shared an emotional moment, with the goalkeeper waving to his wife in the stands just before the teams lined up for kick-off.

Loris Karius reflects on his performance

In an interview with Sky Germany after the match, Karius spoke about his satisfaction with the result. He said, "For a goalkeeper, it's always good if you can distinguish yourself. I tried to give the team security and to defuse what came at the goal. But that's my job, I would be disappointed if I didn't make those saves. That was fine for the debut." His calm confidence was evident, as he acknowledged that making crucial saves is simply part of the job.

Looking ahead: what’s next for Loris Karius?

With a clean sheet in his debut and confidence soaring, Karius will be looking to build on his impressive performance. He is now focused on securing his place in Schalke's starting lineup for their upcoming match against Hertha Berlin on March 8, 2025. After a long road to recovery, Karius will be hoping to continue his journey to re-establish himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the game.