Makoto Hasebe is retiring. The oldest active professional in the Bundesliga will end his career on the pitch after the current season. The 40-year-old Japanese from Eintracht Frankfurt, who has played 383 games in the elite class, announced this decision on Wednesday. Hasebe will remain with the Hessians. From the coming season he will take on a coaching role within the club.
“After 22 years as a professional footballer, it is now time for me to end my active career. I have thought about this decision carefully and now I think it is the right time,” said the defensive player: “I look at it with pride “I have been able to experience and achieve all these years. With the announcement of my decision, both I and the club have planning security for the future.”
When Hasebe played in the game against VfB Stuttgart (0-3) on Saturday, he was exactly 40 years, two months and 26 days old. This puts the model professional in ninth place in the all-time Bundesliga age rankings, which is led by Schalke idol Klaus Fichtel (43 years, six months and two days).
“Makoto can look back on a career as a model professional, he has always been a great role model for many players. His professional attitude and lifestyle have ensured that he can still play football at a high level even at the age of 40,” said the Frankfurt sports director Markus Krösche: “His decision to end his active career after the season deserves respect. Makoto has achieved great things for Eintracht Frankfurt. We are pleased that he will remain with our club in order to pass on his many years of experience to our young players.”