'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Christoph Metzelder has spent most of his time at Borussia Dortmund, where his most time was spent on the sidelines because of injury. He has also played in three seasons for Real Madrid (2007-2010) with only 23 appearances and no goal, as here too, he spent 2 months on the sidelines due to injury, and now he has completed his three seasons with FC Schalke. He also managed to collect almost 50 caps for Germany, appearing with it at 2 World Cups. A brief look at his career so far:
Borussia Dortmund
In summer of 2000, he signed for Borussia Dortmund, leaving the lowly side SC Preußen Munster from where he started his career. It was at that time when he received his first cap for his nation (Germany) in a friendly against Hungary which they won 5-2 on 15 August 2001. He did not get much time to play at Signal Iduna Park because of his injuries.
In his second season, he won the 2002 national title with Germany, played 14 matches and later also participated in 2002 FIFA World Cup final. But unfortunately he did not play his entire 2003-04 campaign as he was suffering from Achilles Tendon injury, due to which he managed to take part only in 16 league contests in the following season.
Real Madrid
He joined the Spanish capital on 18 April, 2007 on a free transfer, after failing to renew his contract at Dortmund. He enjoyed his first months at Real Madrid without any injury until on February 2008, he underwent the surgery of his sole foot, resulting in him missing nearly 2 months of action. After already missing UEFA Champions League round of 16 clash against AS Roma, he returned on 11 May and played the match for full 90 minutes against Real Zaragoza (2-2 away draw). In 2008-2009′s La Liga, he was the main substitute for Pepe (who was suspended for 10 matches), in their 4-2 win against Sevilla. He also started in the 2-6 home defeat against FC Barcelona. He left Real Madrid on 30 June 2010 as his contract got expired.
FC Schalke
He returned to his country Germany on 27 April 2010 as he joined Schalke, agreeing on a three-year contract. He had already played for this club some 15 years ago as a youth player. His start was not good with this club as his first two games against Hamburger SV and Hannover 96, ended as losses (both 1-2 respectively). He has also appeared in 10 matches of Champions League till the semis.
End of the career
On May 16, 2013, this 32-year old defender announced his retirement from professional football, but only after Saturday’s clash with Freiburg. It will be really exciting to see what he can do in his farewell match.
Christoph Metzelder is the fifth footballer this season who is going to retire after Paul Scholes, Jamie Carragher, Mark van Bommel and David Beckham, who is also going to retire after his last match for PSG.
