Piotr Trochowski won everything there is to win in German football: the domestic double of Bundesliga and DFB Cup in 2003, the 2004 League Cup, the 2004 Regionalliga title with the FC Bayern reserves and the U19 youth league title with the club in 2001 and 2002. The former midfielder, who turns 37 on Monday, 22 March, made 40 appearances for the FCB reserves and 15 for the first team, but what is he up to now? fcbayern.com caught up with him.
Interview with Piotr Trochowski
Piotr, is it true you’re playing football again?
“Yes, with Hamburger SV’s third team in the Oberliga – until a few aches and pains and coronavirus came along. After my third cartilage damage and the end of my professional career, I hadn’t played football for three years. It wasn’t until Rafael van der Vaart’s testimonial game that I realised my knees were holding up and it was fun. So, I thought to myself, instead of going running, I’d rather play football. Then, through Marcell Jansen, I ended up at HSV.”
What’s your life like today?
“I don’t have much to do with football anymore. After I retired, I quickly realised life has a lot to offer. I have a property company, invest in stocks and cryptocurrencies. I do sport every day, go to the gym, play tennis, golf – and just for fun, football again.”
How tough was the move from Hamburg to Munich at 15?
“My three brothers and I always did everything together. The separation wasn’t easy, but then in Munich I had the best, most important and most intense time of my life.”
What do you mean?
“Everything was new: the people, training, school. I could watch the first team train every day. It was total sensory overload. I matured, found friends for life, Paul Thomik and Michael Rensing, for example. We all had the same goals and difficulties, all went through highs and lows.”
That brings people together. And you were also all successful…
“Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Misimovic, Lell, Feulner… A lot of us because professionals, some of us even internationals. My greatest hurdle was the reserves. Suddenly I was on the bench. My luck was that I was allowed to train with the first team during international breaks. That’s when I convinced Ottmar Hitzfeld so much that he promoted me.”
You went on to play for Sevilla. What was it like there?
“I lived right in the centre of Seville, rode my bike through the city. People were amazed. I enjoyed experiencing the city and culture so directly. I also have many fond memories of the national team. I was able to represent my country as one of the best in my sport. That’s something to be proud of.”
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