Max Meyer Transitioning to Regional Football at Just 30
Former German international Max Meyer is reportedly ending his professional football career at the age of 30, as he prepares to join Rot-Weiß Oberhausen in the Regionalliga West, according to reports from ‘Sky’ and ‘Reviersport’.
Meyer recently completed a two-year stint with APOEL Nicosia, where his contract came to an end this summer. In a full-circle moment, the central midfielder returns to his roots, having grown up in Oberhausen and played there during his youth.
He rose to prominence with Schalke 04 after initially starting with Duisburg, eventually earning a call-up to the German U21 team. His career took a turn when he left Schalke on a free transfer to sign with Crystal Palace in 2018 after the club and player could not agree on a new contract.
The player, once labeled a “world-class player” by his advisor, has had a career characterized by unmet expectations. After his time at Crystal Palace, Meyer had brief spells with 1. FC Köln, Fenerbahče, Midtjylland, and FC Luzern.
As he makes this significant transition away from top-flight football, he is set to sign a two-year deal with Oberhausen, with a medical examination scheduled for today, Monday.
Meyer, a former U21 European champion, now steps away from the spotlight, leaving questions about whether his departure from Schalke was a turning point for his career or if he was simply overhyped from the onset.
We can probably all still remember Max Meyer. More precisely, how he was predicted to have a great career and outstanding potential. And what became of it: not all that much.
Now, one of the biggest “what if” careers seems to be coming to an end on football’s big stage. As ‘Sky’ and ‘Reviersport’ report, Meyer is stepping away from the professional game at just 30 and will play in the Regionalliga West for Rot-Weiß Oberhausen in the future.
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Most recently, he spent two years under contract with APOEL Nicosia, where his deal expired this summer. In a way, the circle is now complete: the central midfielder grew up in Oberhausen and already played there in his youth.
He made his breakthrough at Schalke 04 after a stop in Duisburg. Back then, he became a DFB player. He left the Royal Blues on a free transfer for Crystal Palace in 2018 after he and the Ruhr club were unable to agree on a contract extension.
📸 Lars Baron – 2021 Getty Images
The fact that his advisor at the time described him as a “world-class player” followed him every step of the way in the years that followed, though not in a positive sense. Expectations and reality, potential and actual achievement, never really matched up in Meyer’s career.
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After three years at Palace, he had a brief spell at 1. FC Köln before heading abroad again: he turned out for Fenerbahçe, Midtjylland and FC Luzern.
So now it appears to be the end of his professional football career. A player who once became U21 European champion and was considered one of Germany’s great hopes is turning his back on the big stage. He is expected to sign a two-year contract with Oberhausen. His medical is scheduled for today, Monday.
Was Meyer’s departure from Schalke, perceived by some as arrogant, the knockout blow for his career? Or was he simply overhyped from the start? Write it in the comments!
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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