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Mario Gotze starts for Borussia Dortmund — Germany’s 2014 World Cup hero has been out viral infection since December

BVB travel to Wolfsburg for Bundesliga opener and Peter Bosz picks former Golden Boy, but Ousmane Dembele still out

Mario Gotze has not played any football in 2017

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MARIO GOTZE is back playing football for the first time since December.

The former Golden Boy-winner has been out with a metabolic virus, which saw him plagued with severe fatigue.

 Mario Gotze is back in football for first time since viral infection in December
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Mario Gotze is back in football for first time since viral infection in DecemberCredit: Getty
 Mario Gotze has not played any football in 2017
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Mario Gotze has not played any football in 2017Credit: Getty

However, he is back to full fitness and has been named in Peter Bosz's first Bundesliga line-up as they start the season with a trip to Wolfsburg.

Gotze, who scored the winner for Germany in the 2014 World Cup final, was once considered the best young player in the country's history when he burst onto the scene at Dortmund.

His performances led to him being named the best young player in Europe when he won the Golden Boy award in 2011.

He became the most-expensive German footballer of all-time — a record he held for a couple of months before Mesut Ozil joined Arsenal for £42million — when he sealed a £32m move to Bayern Munich in 2013.

But he struggled to establish himself in Pep Guardiola's team and made his return to Dortmund last summer.

Things didn't improve as fitness problems saw him in-and-out of the team before he was struck down by the virus.

 Mario Gotze failed to live up to huge potential at Dortmund after massive move
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Mario Gotze failed to live up to huge potential at Dortmund after massive moveCredit: Getty Images

The news be welcomed at Dortmund, where it's been a difficult summer.

Ousmane Dembele has been suspended after skipping training in order to force a move through to Barcelona.

As things stand, however, the French man is staying put as the Catalans have failed to strike a deal.

 Mario Gotze with former manager Jurgen Klopp while at Bayern Munich
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Mario Gotze with former manager Jurgen Klopp while at Bayern MunichCredit: Getty
 Mario Gotze scored the winner for Germany in 2014 World Cup final
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Mario Gotze scored the winner for Germany in 2014 World Cup finalCredit: PA:Press Association

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