In Germany alone, millions of fans dream of life as a professional footballer and envy the stars of the Bundesliga for their glamorous world. Even though the players often make a fortune and lead a supposedly carefree life, not everyone is happy in their role.
While DFB boss Andreas Rettig (61) recently spoke about the difficult time after his career, Cédric Brunner (30), who is currently without a club but is still active, gave information about the personal downsides during his career.
Cédric Brunner reveals: “Was far from the only one”
Even though the Swiss, in his own opinion, is doing everything he can to recommend himself to potential new employers, he can easily get used to his situation.
He misses the daily interaction with colleagues, the games and the everyday professional life that he has lived for years. The enormous pressure that accompanied Brunner not only at Schalke – and which noticeably affected him – has been eliminated.
In the “New Zurich newspaperThe ex-professional from Schalke 04 and Arminia Bielefeld reported: “I had diarrhea before every game, really before every game.” He also revealed a worrying locker room secret from his previous career.
With his physical capitulation to the psychological strain, he was by no means an isolated phenomenon with previous employers. “I was far from the only one,” revealed Brunner.
Other colleagues had to throw up shortly before kick-off, just as world champion Per Mertesacker (40) once reported himself doing. Side effects of a dream world that should remain as hidden as possible from outsiders.
That’s why Brunner complains: “In football, everything is actually taken apart – except the head.” In addition to football, he is already pursuing his psychology studies and also recognizes that he has become jaded over the years. He no longer reacts to stress and setbacks as sensitively as he used to.
But Brunner didn’t experience his most recent stop at Schalke without any worries, empathizing with disappointed fans and their disillusionment. The Royal Blue misery with Bundesliga relegation and the turbulent second division year didn’t exactly contribute to too many feelings of happiness.
The Swiss therefore wants to think carefully about his next club. Brunner made it clear that he wanted to “weigh up what predominates at this point in my life.” He has already rejected three offers from the 2nd Bundesliga.
