Rudi Völler, Thomas Häßler and most recently Antonio Rüdiger: German professionals have a tradition at AS Roma. And the new German will also be received accordingly.
Mats Hummels felt the enthusiasm of the Tifosi as soon as he arrived. Casually dressed in fashionable sunglasses, a black T-shirt and a three-day beard, the 2014 German world champion first had to take selfies with the fans at Rome-Fiumicino airport. “Welcome,” said one of the fans. “Thank you,” replied Hummels very politely and quickly signed a little boy’s Roma jersey.
Hummels has already posted his new jersey on Instagram in various colors and with the number 15. The 35-year-old former defensive leader of Borussia Dortmund, FC Bayern Munich and the German national football team will wear it for AS Roma. The capital club did not reveal how long this will be for. Italian media are speculating that it will be for one season.
“Hey Giallorosso fans, this is Mats, the new player,” Hummels introduced himself to the Roma fans in a video released by the club. But that is hardly necessary: 78 international matches, five goals, 2014 World Cup winner, six-time German champion, three-time German Cup winner, six-time German Super Cup winner. And now he has also been nominated for the World Footballer of the Year award – remarkably in contrast to the former top scorers Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
For Hummels, this is a new beginning in two respects: he has never played abroad before. However, he is by no means the first German to pull on the Roma jersey; in fact, there have been six before him. The last German AS professional to play for Hummels was Antonio Rüdiger (now Real Madrid), like Hummels a central defender. Above all, it was Rudi Völler, alongside Thomas Häßler, who ensured a German era for the Romans when the current DFB sports director played for Roma for five years from 1987. “Of course, such a time abroad is a great adventure in life,” Völler once said, looking back on his move.
Hummels and the many rumors
Where Hummels would end up has been the subject of much discussion and speculation in recent weeks. After national coach Julian Nagelsmann did not call him up for the European Championships at home and Hummels played his last international match in the 2-0 defeat in Austria last November, his time in Dortmund also came to an end. With the personnel shake-up at BVB, there was no room for the defender, and Hummels was available on the market on a free transfer.
Rumors quickly spread that Real Sociedad San Sebastián from Spain was interested, as was RCD Mallorca from the Primera División. Or Brighton & Hove Albion from the Premier League and FC Bologna and Roma from Serie A. Teams from the Major League Soccer of the upcoming World Cup co-host country USA are also said to have flirted with the idea of signing Hummels – but Hummels ruled out a move to North America, as his former teammate Marco Reus (Los Angeles) did, from the start.
“It’s difficult to find a jersey for a sport that doesn’t result in stupid rumors afterwards,” Hummels once wrote in an Instagram story alongside a selfie from a gym, accompanied by a laughing smiley about all the speculation and rumors.
However, Hummels will have to wait a few days for his first game in the new jersey. Due to the international break, the match will not resume until September 15 in Genoa. The Romans have not managed a win in their first three league games. With two draws and one defeat, the team of 41-year-old coach Daniele De Rossi, who will host Eintracht Frankfurt on the last matchday of the Europa League group stage, is in 16th place.
Source: Stern
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
