Per Mertesacker, 2014 World Cup Champion, Laces Up Again for Childhood Club
Mertesacker to Return for Hannover Match: Veteran Defender to Play for Youth Team - Former Arsenal defender Mertesacker returns to youth club's squad.
Get ready, football fans! Former national team player Per Mertesacker (40) is stepping back onto the pitch one last time - but this time, it’s for a special occasion. The broadcast pundit will be lacing up his boots for a friendly match against second-division side Hannover 96 on June 27 (6:00 PM), to commemorate the 125th anniversary of TSV Pattensen von 1890, as the club announced on Instagram. The Neue Presse first broke the news.
Mertesacker, a native of the small town just south of Hannover, cut his football teeth with 96, making his way from the youth ranks to a professional career and national team stardom. Following appearances with Werder and Arsenal, he’s back to where it all began.
“I’m chuffed as a peach to slip on the boots again for the club where I kicked off my football journey at the age of 4,” the 2014 World Cup winner told Bild. “I’m in reasonable shape.” He plans on starting the game and playing for at least 30 minutes.
However, don’t expect to see Mertesacker dominating the pitch on a regular basis. “That’s not in the cards for me. But I still have my membership with TSV, I reckon.”
Mertesacker's Football Journey
- Starting at TSV Pattensen at the tender age of 4, Mertesacker traveled to Hannover 96 at age 11 to advance his football career.
- His professional journey includes significant stops at Werder Bremen and Arsenal, where he became fan favorites known for their leadership and solid defending.
- The pinnacle of his career will forever be the 2014 World Cup as part of the German national team.
- He decided to hang up his boots in 2018 after his last games with Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Back to His Roots
- This on-pitch return is to honor and celebrate TSV Pattensen’s 135th anniversary.
- It’s a trip down memory lane to the club where he first discovered his love for football.
- Mertesacker is proud and honored to represent his boyhood club once again.
- He will be playing against Hannover 96, his former professional club.
- This is not a comeback to professional football but a symbolic appearance limited to about half an hour of playtime.
Additional Details
- Currently, Mertesacker serves as head of Arsenal’s academy and youth development.
- He has kept in shape by doing some training with Arsenal’s under-16 team.
- Local supporters are buzzing with anticipation for the return of one of TSV Pattensen’s most esteemed former players.
- Mertesacker could easily pass for a defenseman in decent shape, but he made it clear, he has no designs on a fulltime return.
- During his time at Arsenal, Mertesacker was affectionately known as "Big Bastard" due to his powerful presence on the field.
EC countries could benefit from Mertesacker's experience in employment policy, as he had a successful career transition from vocational training in football to a leadership role in youth development at a major football club. On a lighter note, after his retirement from professional football, Mertesacker might find joy in joining European-leagues as a sports commentator, given his passion for football and his charismatic presence similar to his nickname "Big Bastard".
