–
–
–
Konstantin Möllering can point to an unusual vita. The 30-year-old has played for New York Cosmos and Toronto FC, among others, and he also trained at BVB under Jürgen Klopp. The midfielder is now under contract with the western regional division SV Straelen. So far it has not been enough for the big breakthrough. Why not?
Konstantin Möllering was unlucky, very unlucky. Otherwise he would probably play in the Bundesliga today. Just like many companions with whom the 30-year-old has played or at least trained in recent years. When Möllering has to name a few names, he doesn’t even know where to begin and where to end. The list is too long. Marcel Halstenberg (RB Leipzig), Kerem Demirbay (Bayer Leverkusen), Jonas Hoffmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Marius Bülter (Union Berlin), Marvin Ducksch (Hannover 96), Mario Vrancic (Norwich City) and Jeremy Dudziak (Hamburger SV) count alongside many more about it. You made it all the way to the top. Not Möllering, his body thwarted this calculation.
Möllering had unbelievable bad luck with injuries in his career. Many others would probably have lost their interest in football, they would have stopped. That was never an option for Möllering. He always fought his way back. It was necessary quite often. And when he had just made friends again, the next setback came. Several tears of muscle bundles at the most unfavorable times, an adductor tear, a protracted pubic bone inflammation – and many other minor injuries prevented him from making the big breakthrough. In the youth there were many indications of a great career.
At the age of 17 Möllering had signed his first professional contract with Preußen Münster. The coach at the time was Roger Schmidt, who now coaches the Europa League participant PSV Eindhoven, with whom Mario Götze is also under contract. Three years later Möllering switched to Borussia Dortmund’s U23. Lars Ricken really wanted him in the club. That was also the time when Möllering regularly trained with the professionals. And none other than Jürgen Klopp, the U23 coach was David Wagner.
“When I got there, it felt like a different world to me”
“An unbelievable time”
“That was an incredible time for me,” says Möllering. “The team won almost everything they could win during that time. The way to the top was too far for me at this point with this quality. It was still an indescribable feeling to be on the pitch with these guys during the week stand.” And the work under Klopp also impressed the midfielder: “He’s just like you see him on TV. Kloppo exudes incredible motivation. For him you go through fire. But he can also express very clearly when something is not his Satisfaction makes you. I’ve also experienced that. ”
Möllering did not make the leap to the professionals. Just as he was getting close, there was a torn muscle bundle. Then the next, then the third. Möllering decided to switch to get match practice on a higher level. He went to VfL Bochum. It didn’t work there, he moved on to the Sportfreunde Siegen. There, too, he had to pause for eight months because of an injury. Meanwhile, word of his vulnerability to injury had got around. Despite his great talent, the clubs refrained from signing Möllering. The risk was just too great for them.
<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="arrow prev" data-ng-click="showPrev()" data-ng-hide="photos.length
<a rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" class="arrow next" data-ng-click="showNext()" data-ng-hide="photos.length
–
This actually unfortunate circumstance turned out to be very fortunate for Möllering. In Germany he was now stuck in a dead end. Almost at the same time, a whole new world opened up to him through relationships. Möllering suddenly had an offer from Major League Soccer on the table. It didn’t take him long to make a decision: In 2014 he signed a contract with Toronto FC. There he suddenly had national players as teammates – for example Michael Bradley (USA) and Sebastian Giovinco (Italy).
“It was great for me there. I had an outstanding time,” says Möllering in retrospect. “We didn’t have to worry about anything other than playing soccer. We had doctors, cooks, physiotherapists and everything you can imagine. That was really professional soccer.” At that moment Möllering had smelled a fuse. He knew: There is more, there is even better. So after a year one moved on to New York Cosmos.
Heimweh am “Big Apple”
“When I got there, it felt like a different world to me. New York is exactly as it is always described. It’s a city that never sleeps,” says Möllering. He absorbed all experiences and impressions like a sponge absorbs water. And it went well for him in terms of sport as well. But there was a problem: family, friends and girlfriends lived seven hours by plane in Germany. Möllering became homesick and had an inner struggle with himself. New York or Germany? The wide world or the familiar environment? Ultimately, Möllering decided to return during the 2016/2017 winter break.
Was that the right decision? “Yes, I think so,” says Möllering. “I really had a great time there. I still have good friends in New York. I try to visit them regularly. Of course, that was not possible this year because of Corona. It was right to take the step. It was but also right to then return to Germany. ”
Via SV Rödinghausen and Berliner AK, Möllering finally landed at SV Straelen during the 2019/2020 winter break. With the club he first rose from the league to the regional league. The club is currently in the process of establishing itself there. Has the dream of professional football come to an end for Möllering, who is now 30 years old? “You never know what’s coming. My own career has shown me that so far,” he says. “It is clear that I feel very comfortable in Straelen. We are offered everything a footballer could wish for here.”
In addition, Möllering is currently completing an apprenticeship in the company of Hermann Tecklenburg, the main sponsor of the association. “I am now at an age where other things are slowly becoming more important than football. I have to think about my professional future,” says Möllering. But he would like to continue playing football as long as possible – preferably without the new injuries that have slowed him down so often.
