Weston McKennie, a midfielder for Serie A club Juventus and the United States national team, developed a passion for soccer in Germany when his father was stationed at the nearby German Ramstein Air Base.
His father had a choice between Germany and Alaska for a military posting, and his mother arranged the move to Germany.
Weston began playing soccer for the local club FC Phönix Otterbach before relocating to the United States. Later, he played in the youth system of Major League Soccer side FC Dallas for seven years before moving to Schalke.
He signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Virginia in February 2016, but turned down the scholarship offer to play for the Cavaliers. Instead, he sought to go professional.
Weston is known for his widespread positional versatility as a midfielder, defender, and forward. He declined to sign a contract with FC Dallas and joined German Bundesliga side FC Schalke 04 in 2016.
On August 29, 2020, he joined Serie A side Juventus on a year-long loan with an option to make the loan permanent at the end of the season. He won the 2020 Supercoppa Italiana and Coppa Italia with Juventus.
Happy to make my 💯 appearance for @juventus.
Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie’s Parents Are The Supportive Foundation Behind His Success
Weston James Earl McKennie, the son of John McKennie and Tina McKennie, was born on August 28, 1998, in Fort Lewis, Washington.
His parents raised him in a close-knit family alongside his brother, John McKennie Jr., and consider Little Elm, Texas, his hometown.
Mom’s seal of approval ✅
— Schalke 04 USA🇺🇸 (@s04_us) October 11, 2019
Not everyday you win a @WMckennie jersey AND get congratulated by his mother! ✍️💙#SchalkeUS🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/9w2642PAFB
John McKennie Sr., a former U.S. Air Force officer, was the reason the family moved around the world.
When given a choice between new assignments in Germany or Alaska, he discussed it with his family and chose Germany, a decision that would unknowingly launch Weston’s soccer journey.
In the small town of Otterbach, Weston was constantly playing soccer, often competing against older boys. John Sr. always knew his son was fiercely competitive and resilient.
He told me it was a great feeling to score in the first game of the season. Now, of course, he hopes to continue like this and score many more.
John McKennie
Meanwhile, Tina McKennie, who prefers to stay out of the public eye, was equally crucial and wanted her children to embrace German culture and language.
She recalls watching Weston play across the street against older opponents, recognizing his natural talent from a very young age.
John and Tina created a loving and respectful family environment. They encouraged their children to stay active, fully supporting their passion for soccer.
Moreover, they saw Weston’s gift in soccer and invested in coaching to help him develop his skills.
Weston McKennie’s Brother Built His Competitive Edge
Weston McKennie’s brother, John McKennie Jr., was a driving force who shaped his career. They have an eight-year gap, and their childhood was defined by constant competition.
John is a firefighter and realtor from Grand Prairie, Texas, and played a pivotal role in developing Weston’s fierce competitive spirit.
In an interview with soccer news site The 18, Weston explained how his brother’s hatred of losing pushed him to be better. They would always compete, and Weston would lose most of the time.
Those rare victories against his bigger, stronger brother felt incredibly rewarding, which planted a seed in the young athlete.
That feeling of triumph made him strive to win all the time, forging the relentless mindset he’s known for on the pitch today.
Yet, beyond the rivalry was a deep bond. Despite the intense contests, Weston would follow his big brother like a shadow, eager to surpass him in everything he did.
Major throwback😂 but HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!! Even though I’m younger it’s crazy to see how much you have grown as a person. Life goes by so fast and it’s taught me to cherish all of the moments we have together. I Love you bro and have a great day and see you soon❤️❤️❤️
Weston McKennie
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Weston McKennie plays the midfielder position wearing jersey number 22 for Juventus.
- He introduced McKennie’s Magical Youth Foundation to make a difference for foster kids in America and children in orphanages across Italy.
- He is likely dating Chiara Frattesi, an Italian fashion model and the sister of Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi.
- He stands 1.85m tall and weighs about 85kg.
