Former National Athlete Halstenberg Returns to Kreisliga Competition - Ex-professional footballer Halstenberg resurfaces in Kreisliga competition
Former German National Player Marcel Halstenberg Begins Post-Retirement Career in Kreisliga
Marcel Halstenberg, the nine-time German national player, has made a surprising comeback to football after retiring from professional football in May 2025. The veteran defender, who spent time with Hannover 96 and other clubs, has now joined the Kreisliga, a regional amateur league in Germany.
Halstenberg's post-retirement career debut came three months after the end of his professional career. He made his first appearance in the lower leagues on the first league matchday of the season, playing against SV Weetzen. The game marked the start of his post-retirement career, and it was a memorable one as he scored his first goal, converting a penalty after about 20 minutes.
Halstenberg's professional career spanned 203 games in the first and second divisions. He ended his career at Hannover 96, where he played a total of 165 first-division and 138 second-division matches. However, during his professional career, he was not able to win the DFB-Pokal after his retirement. His last noted DFB-Pokal final in May 2025 ended with him being sent off, which negatively impacted his team’s chances at the title.
Despite the step down from professional levels to more local or grassroots football, Halstenberg has not lost his passion for the game. In his post-retirement career, he has taken up a new role in the offensive midfield instead of his usual defensive position. The star signing of the club in the Kreisliga attracted more than 400 spectators to the match.
Halstenberg started his football journey with his former youth club, Germania Grasdorf, near Hannover. The village of Grasdorf, where his former youth club is located, belongs to the town of Laatzen on the outskirts of Hannover. During his professional career, Halstenberg played for clubs like RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli. However, it is worth noting that there is no record of him winning the DFB-Pokal after his retirement.
Despite this, Halstenberg remains a respected figure in German football. He won the DFB Cup twice with Leipzig in 2022 and 2023, making him a key player in the club's success. As he continues his post-retirement career in the Kreisliga, fans will be eager to see if he can add more trophies to his impressive collection.
- In line with his post-retirement career decisions, Halstenberg has expressed his interest in contributing to the community and employment policy, potentially advocating for the support of local amateur leagues like the Kreisliga.
- Amidst his remarkable journey from the DFB-Pokal finals to the lower leagues, Marcel Halstenberg's love for football transpires across various European leagues, with his current focus on scoring goals in the Kreisliga.
