Dortmund (dpa) – Borussia Dortmund’s veteran Marcel Schmelzer ends his football career.
The former national player will retire after this season, as the 34-year-old said in a video on Instagram. “Unfortunately, injuries have repeatedly thrown me back over the past two years. In this context, I would like to thank BVB for allowing me to complete my rehab here again. I don’t know what’s coming, but I’m looking forward to the challenges.” said Schmelzer, who will say goodbye to Hertha BSC (3.30 p.m. / Sky) on Saturday at the season finale.
In 2005, Schmelzer switched from the youth team of 1. FC Magdeburg to the Dortmund U19 team. The central defender made 367 competitive appearances for Borussia and has won two German championships and three cups with BVB since 2008. In 2009 he won European Championship gold with the U21 national team. In November 2010 he made his debut in the German national team, for which he played a total of 16 international matches. Schmelzer last played for BVB on June 17, 2020.
BVB extended Schmelzer’s expiring contract last season so that the former captain could continue his rehabilitation in his usual environment after a serious knee injury.
However, Schmelzer cannot play one last time for his club. “He hasn’t been in team training for what feels like four months, which also has a few insurance-related issues,” explained coach Marco Rose on Thursday. “As much as I would like it for myself and the fans, some things just can’t be implemented, and that’s the case with Schmelzer. He will be in the stadium – and hopefully not for the last time. It will definitely be very special.”