Sandro Wagner: self-promoter Sandro W. attracted attention in Hoffenheim through loud opinions and constant self-staging. The 1.94-metre striker always liked to talk, and once he reached the big stage people finally listened. Despite publicly criticising almost everything, Hoffenheim kept backing him, and Wagner developed into a national-team candidate.
He saw himself as someone swimming against the tide, polarised people and became the boo-man in away grounds. When Joachim Löw cut him from the 2018 World Cup squad, he responded in his usual direct way and retired after eight international caps. Germany coped.
His departure to Bayern Munich was commented on by Julian Nagelsmann as an opportunity for others to take responsibility. That did not sound much like heartbreak.