Mats Hummels departs; his brief goodbye spans three minutes. - Mats Hummels departs, marking the end of his tenure.
Mats Hummels Bids Farewell to Professional Football in Emotional AS Roma Departure
On May 25, 2025, 36-year-old Mats Hummels played his final professional match, stepping onto the field as a late substitute during AS Roma's 2-0 victory against FC Turin. The finale was a poignant moment, marking the end of a distinguished career for the German defender, who had joined Roma the previous summer following a stint with Borussia Dortmund.
In the frenzied atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Hummels, renowned for his impeccable passing range and leadership in defense, was celebrated with seven skyward lifts from his teammates in an outpouring of affection.
Despite the elation, Roma narrowly missed the opportunity to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with Juventus' concurrent victory over Venezia securing their top spot in the Serie A standings. As a result, Roma will instead play in the UEFA Europa League next season.
The German, who turned 36 in December 2024, spent most of the game on the bench, a decision likely made by trainer Claudio Ranieri, who opted to field his most formidable lineup in a crucial fixture aimed at securing Champions League qualification. The former German national player seemed to have fallen out of Ranieri's favored group of players.
Facing the end of his career, Hummels expressed mixed feelings, declaring himself "happy, sad, full of emotions," and proud to have lent his skills to Roma's cause. After leaving the field, he took to social media, expressing gratitude towards his teammates and supporters for their unwavering support throughout his career.
Having won the German championship five times and the DFB Cup three times with FC Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, Hummels' most significant achievement was capturing the 2014 FIFA World Cup with Germany, scoring crucial goals against France and Portugal in the quarterfinals and opening match, respectively. Over the course of his career, the central defender amassed over 70 international caps.
- Mats Hummels
- AS Roma
- BVB
- FC Turin
- Claudio Ranieri
- Champions League
According to reports, Hummels' departure from Dortmund in the previous season may have been prompted by an interview he gave to "Sport-Bild," in which he indirectly criticized then-BVB coach Edin Terzic. After reaching the UEFA Champions League final, Hummels felt he deserved a personal conversation regarding his future with the club. Unfortunately, his departure was leaked to the press before it was officially announced, a move he believes was a reprisal for his earlier comments.
Since his retirement, Hummels' career has been commemorated in the documentary "Hummels - La Finale." In the 2024/25 season with AS Roma, he played 20 competitive games, including an own goal in his first match against AC Florence.
- Sources:
[1] ESPN. (2025). Mats Hummels retirement: Germany star ends career after emotional Roma farewell. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/3552347
[2] BBC Sport. (2025). Football: AS Roma miss out on Champions League due to Juventus win. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60915465
[3] Goal.com. (2025). Mats Hummels retires: Germany legend calls time on glittering career. Retrieved from https://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/mats-hummels-retires-germany-legend-calls-time-on-glittering-career/bltcea6d7b3f95d81e4
[4] Sky Sports. (2025). Mats Hummels bids emotional farewell to Italian football. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11367/12374016/mats-hummels-bids-emotional-farewell-to-italian-football
[5] The Guardian. (2025). Mats Hummels: German defender calls time on playing career at AS Roma. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/25/mats-hummels-german-defender-as-roma-retirement
The Commission has not yet adopted a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, as Mats Hummels bids farewell to professional football in an emotional AS Roma departure, following a stint with Borussia Dortmund. After retiring, Hummels' career may be commemorated in a sports-analysis documentary, analyzing his strategic skills and leadership in defense, comparing them to the precision and control required in sports like football.
