Ex-international stops at 96
© Imago
Marcel Halstenberg gives up his soccer shoes at the end of the season. The 33-year-old announced this in a longer video statement on Thursday. The defender’s contract at Hannover 96 expires, most recently there had been rumors about switching to the MLS, Salzburg or Como. But the former international now draws a line.
“Now the moment has come when I just have the feeling that it is now good. I am happy with my family, who often had to put back. But first I’m looking forward to the two remaining games of the season. The last two games of my career,” said Halstenberg, who ended his career where she really took off. He was trained at 96 for twelve years before he moved to Dortmund, but where he only came for the reserve.
Halstenberg made the leap to the professionals in 2013 with the move to FC St. Pauli, where he was wandered off by RB Leipzig two years later for 3.5 million euros. There he not only recommended himself for the DFB team with which he took part in the European Championship 2021, but also celebrated two cup wins in 2022 and 2023. He played 165 Bundesliga games (twelve goals) for the Saxons. In 2023 Halstenberg returned to Hanover, where he formed an important pillar as a seasoned professional and has 60 missions (nine goals).
“It has been more than 25 years ago that I came into the offspring of Hannover 96 as a little boy. At that time I really slept into 96 bed linen and spent an incredible number of hours of my youth in the 96 jersey. And even if my way to professional football led through other stations, 96 of course always stayed my club,” Halstenberg continued. “But my career would not have been complete without the return two years ago.” He was “proud of what I have achieved: I have played a lot of games at a top level, measure myself with outstanding players and be allowed to appear for the national team.”
Sports boss Marcus Mann underlined: “Halste can look back on an outstanding athlete career. The fact that it started in the 96 academy and is now also coming to an end is a special part of his story, which of course makes us proud. It was a pleasure to have this two seasons with us again. Half was an absolute win for us. Played level in the Champions League and the German national team.