Christoph Metzelder is a former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for several top clubs in Germany and Spain.
He began his professional career at Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga title in 2002.
Metzelder earned 47 caps for the Germany national team, participating in two FIFA World Cups and one UEFA European Championship.
Biography
Early Life
Christoph Tobias Metzelder was born in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, in 1980. He developed a passion for football at a young age, which led him to pursue a career in the sport. Metzelder's early talent was evident as he progressed through the youth ranks, eventually joining SC Preußen Münster, where he began his professional journey.
Career
Metzelder's professional career took off when he signed with Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2000. He quickly made a name for himself, earning his first cap for the German national team in 2001. His time at Dortmund was marked by significant achievements, including winning the Bundesliga title in 2002 and reaching the FIFA World Cup final that same year with Germany. However, injuries plagued his career, notably an Achilles tendon injury that sidelined him for the entire 2003-04 season.
In 2007, after a successful stint at Dortmund, Metzelder transferred to Real Madrid on a free transfer. He continued to face challenges with injuries but contributed to the team's success, winning La Liga and the Supercopa de España during his time in Spain. He later played for Schalke 04 and concluded his professional career at TuS Haltern.
Personal Life and Legacy
Off the pitch, Metzelder is known for his philanthropic efforts, having founded an organization to support socially disadvantaged youth in Germany. He has one daughter, Emma, with his girlfriend Julia Gödicke. Metzelder's contributions to football have been recognized with several awards, including the Silbernes Lorbeerblatt and the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, solidifying his legacy as a respected figure in German football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
Borussia Dortmund
Metzelder was born in Haltern, North Rhine-Westphalia. In the summer of 2000 he signed with Borussia Dortmund from SC Preußen Münster, and he was an instant success. At the end of his first season in the Bundesliga he won his first cap for Germany, playing the second half of a 5–2 friendly win in Hungary on 15 August 2001. The second campaign at Dortmund brought Metzelder the 2002 national title and 14 matches with Germany, all the way to the 2002 FIFA World Cup final with the latter. However, he missed the entire 2003–04 due to an Achilles tendon injury, and only took part in 16 league games in the following season. After over two years out of the national squad, Metzelder was called by new boss Jürgen Klinsmann for a friendly with China, in October 2005. He also scored his first two league goals, in 1–1 draws against Mainz 05 and Hamburger SV, and would be Germany's undisputed starter at the 2006 World Cup, partnering with SV Werder Bremen's Per Mertesacker.
Real Madrid
On 18 April 2007, after failing to renew his contract at Borussia, Metzelder transferred to Real Madrid at the end of the season on a free transfer. In February 2008, after managing to be injury-free in the first months of his Spanish adventure, he had surgery on the sole of his foot, resulting in him missing nearly 60 days of action; on 11 May, after having already missed the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash against A.S. Roma, he returned and played the full 90…
- Club
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol (2007–2010)
- Club
- Borussia Dortmund (2000–2007)
- Club
- SC Preußen Münster (1999–2000)
- Club
- Schalke 04 (2010–2013)
- Club
- Germany men's national association football team (2001–2008)
- Club
- TuS Haltern (2013–2014)
- Club
- Germany national under-21 football team (2000–2001)
- Club
- Germany national under-18 football team (1999–1999)
- League
- Bundesliga
- National team
- Germany
Trophies & Awards
- Award
- Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Award
- Silbernes Lorbeerblatt
- Award
- Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Personal
Metzelder's younger brother, Malte, was also a footballer (and a centre-back), and both played for Borussia Dortmund. He has one daughter, Emma (born 17 October 2009), with girlfriend Julia Gödicke. In 2006 he founded an organisation helping socially disadvantaged German youth and continues to run it.
Legacy
Borussia Dortmund
Bundesliga: 2001–02 DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 2003 UEFA Cup runner-up: 2001–02 Real Madrid
La Liga: 2007–08 Supercopa de España: 2008 Schalke 04
DFB-Pokal: 2010–11 DFL-Supercup: 2011; runner-up: 2010 Germany
FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2002; third place: 2006 UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2008 Individual
Bravo Award: 2002 Orders
Silbernes Lorbeerblatt: 2002, 2006
Clubs
- Germany national under-18 football team1999–1999
- SC Preußen Münster1999–2000
- Borussia Dortmund2000–2007
- Germany national under-21 football team2000–2001
- Germany men's national association football team2001–2008
- Real Madrid Club de Fútbol2007–2010
- Schalke 042010–2013
- TuS Haltern2013–2014
Played together with
Abdou DialloBorussia Dortmund · 2018–2019
Achraf HakimiBorussia Dortmund · 2018–2020- Achraf HakimiReal Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2017–2020
Adnan JanuzajBorussia Dortmund · 2015–2016- Adolf UrbanSchalke 04 · 1934–1942
Adolfo AldanaReal Madrid Club de Fútbol · 1988–1992- Adolfo MeléndezReal Madrid Club de Fútbol
Adolphe MengottiReal Madrid Club de Fútbol · 1919–1925- Adrián DalmauReal Madrid Club de Fútbol
Adrián Embarba BlázquezReal Madrid Club de Fútbol
Adrián GonzálezReal Madrid Club de Fútbol · 2007–2008
Adrián RamosBorussia Dortmund · 2014–2017
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Christoph Tobias Metzelder is a German former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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