GELSENKIRCHEN – Soufiane El-FaouziPlayer·Soufiane El-Faouzi, the dynamic midfielder for FC Schalke 04, has officially received the Bundesliga 2 Goal of the Season trophy, recognizing his extraordinary overhead kick against SV Elversberg. The stunning strike, delivered on Matchday 29 of the 2025/26 season on April 12, 2026, was a moment of individual brilliance that resonated deeply within a crucial top-of-the-table encounter.
El-Faouzi's acrobatic effort served as a vital equalizer in a match that saw Schalke 04 ultimately secure a 2-1 victory, despite playing with ten men for over half an hour. The goal was selected as the best among 14 shortlisted contenders, with football fans across Germany casting their votes via the official DFL app. Reflecting on the memorable moment, the 23-year-old midfielder conveyed his initial disbelief.
"I just went for it, with total conviction and a good feeling – and when the ball went in, I could hardly believe it."— Soufiane El-Faouzi
The recognition for El-Faouzi's goal arrives as a fitting capstone to a highly successful season for FC Schalke 04. The club concluded the 2025/26 campaign as the 2. BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga champions, thereby securing their return to Germany's top flight. They finished in first place with a commanding 70 points from 34 games, boasting a goal difference of +19, having scored 50 goals and conceded 31. The title was clinched on Matchday 32 following a 1-0 victory over Fortuna DüsseldorfTeam·Fortuna Düsseldorf and favorable results elsewhere in the league.
Schalke 04's championship run was underpinned by exceptional form, including an unbeaten streak in their final 12 games of the season, a division-best performance. They also secured victories in their last five matches before being crowned champions. Their defensive solidity was a hallmark of the season, conceding less than a goal per game on average and keeping a league-high 13 clean sheets.
Soufiane El-FaouziPlayer·Soufiane El-Faouzi was an indispensable figure in Schalke's promotion success. He started all 34 league matches, completing the full 90 minutes in 31 of them, accumulating 3,007 minutes of play. Beyond his Goal of the Season, he contributed 2 goals and 5 assists in the 2. BundesligaCompetition·Bundesliga. His relentless work rate was also notable, as he topped the DFL's league ranking for total distance covered, registering 367.9 km after Matchday 29. Following his stellar contributions, El-Faouzi committed his long-term future to FC Schalke 04, signing a new contract extension until 2030, reportedly without a release clause.
Soufiane El-Faouzi of FC Schalke 04, whose acrobatic strike was named Goal of the Season. RHR-Foto/IMAGO
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