Emotional message
Klopp turns to ex-HSV star’s 14-year-old daughter with cancer
Updated 11/18/2025 – 1:46 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
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The daughter of ex-football professional Dennis Diekmeier is suffering from cancer. In a message with well-wishes, Jürgen Klopp says how much he admires the 14-year-old. He wants to get to know her.
Jürgen Klopp addressed touching words to Delani Diekmeier, who was suffering from cancer, in a video message. The 14-year-old daughter of former Bundesliga professional Dennis Diekmeier has been battling a kidney tumor for months that has already spread to her lungs. She has since endured multiple surgeries and chemotherapy; According to the family, doctors don’t give her much chance of survival.
In the clip published by the charity organization “Legends for Life”, Klopp encourages the daughter of former professional Dennis Diekmeier. He admired her for her power, strength and positivity – “for all of that,” said Klopp. “It’s not easy, but you can do it, every day.” Klopp also found words for days when that might not work. You can believe in God, but “you can also simply believe in the future.” Faith means not knowing what will happen – but being able to dream.
“And to dream you have to use your imagination a bit,” said Klopp, who now works as head of football at Red Bull. He talked about concerts, the next World Cup – and possible plans for the coming year. “What could we do next year? What would we like to do?” Klopp said, adding: “I would absolutely love to get to know you.” Finally, he wished Delani a lot of strength, a lot of faith – and “only the very best.”
Dennis Diekmeier, who played as a professional at Hamburger SV for eight years, is currently assistant coach at regional league team SV Sandhausen. However, he has been taking a break there for a few months to be there for his daughter.
At the HSV game against Borussia Dortmund, the 36-year-old spoke about the difficult time: “A year ago our lives were fine. In January the ground was ripped out from under our feet.” About Delani he said: “She is a brutal fighter. The joy of life she radiates with this illness is enormous.”