Bernd Schneider, nicknamed the “white Brazilian” due to his outstanding technical skills, has asked his club Bayer 04 Leverkusen to cancel his contract. The Bundesliga-club agreed to the request of Bernd Schneider, who has played 81 international games wearing the German black and white. The 35-year-old Schneider suffered a severe spinal injury in April 2008. Following 398 days of intense rehabilitation and his eventual return for a few minutes to the Bundesliga. He is recommended to end his professional career.
“Since the accident, I have had health problems . Now I’m forced to listen to the advice of my doctors”, says a disappointed Schneider, who played in 263 Bundesliga-games for Bayer 04 Leverkusen since 1999 and scored 35 goals. “The decision was a very difficult one for me. But I’m a family father and I have responsibilities to consider, so I had to listen to the doctors”, Schneider adds.
Joachim Löw, coach of the German national football team, says: “So many good performances came to my mind, when I heard that Bernd Schneider has to end his career. He had been a key player in our national team over such a long time. His play elevated our team to a different level. Fans will never forget his outstanding performance at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, none better than during the final against Brazil. Then of course, the World Cup 2006 in Germany – I’m sure he’ll never forget that unique summer.” Löw emphasizes: “His footballing skills and his surprising midfield solo-runs have been of enormous importance to our team. He always was a team leader, on and off the pitch. He has many intangible qualities. It’s a pity that he had to suffer such a severe injury. I will forever remain thankful for his exemplary conduct on our team and I wish him all the best for his future endeavors.”
Michael Ballack, captain of the German national team and a close friend of Schneider, says: “What a pity! The national team loses not only an outstanding football player, but also an outstanding personality. I would have liked nothing more than the chance to play one more major tournament with ‘Schnix’. Now that is impossible. I sincerely regret that.”
Rudi Völler, sporting director of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, says: “Bernd is an excellent football player, who enchanted us with his play. He is such a humble and down-to-earth person and I wish him all the best for his future.”
A farewell game for Bernd Schneider in the new “BayArena” is in preparation, with more details to be released. Bernd Schneider will start several advisory functions in the management of “Bayer 04 Fußball GmbH” soon.
[DFB.de]
Soccernet - France and Bayern Munich defender Willi Sagnol confirmed on Sunday that he was ending his playing career after failing to recover from an Achilles tendon injury.
"Until recently, I travelled to find a specialist who would find a solution but I have to accept the obvious, my injury will not heal," he told French cable television Canal Plus.
"Walking is painful, moving around a pitch is even more painful. The doctors tried everything. They made a decision. The only thing to do is to stop playing."
The 31-year-old full back made 58 appearances for France and was a regular in the team that reached the final of the 2006 World Cup.
Born and soccer-educated in St Etienne, he won the French title with Monaco in 2000, the German title five times and the German Cup four times with Bayern whom he joined in 2000.
Jens Lehmann announced his retirement from the German national team following a talk with DFB-coach Joachim Löw and goalkeepers coach Andreas Köpke on Friday. The 38-year old Lehmann was given his debut on February 18, 1998, in a game against the Emirate of Oman. His career encompassed 61 international appearances as well as three World Cups and three European Championships.
During the two-hour talk, Jens Lehmann and Joachim Löw agreed that the time has come for some of the younger talents to guard the German goal, especially looking forward to South Africa 2010. Following the meeting, Löw said: “We had a very good discussion. Evaluating the situation, we were on the exact same wavelength. I thanked Jens for his great career in our team. Fans will always remember his fantastic saves in our win over Argentina at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He also played a pivotal role at the EURO this year. He has done so much for German football, and I chose to consult him in the most important matters.”
Jens Lehmann said: “I could not give Joachim Löw any guarantees that I would extend my career beyond this one year, for which I have signed a contract with the VfB Stuttgart. Therefore I offered Löw and Köpke my resignation. I had a great run in the national team. These last few years in England, the national team had been my contact home. More than any other event, I will always remember the 2006 World Cup.”
