The oldest Bundesliga professional
Daughter keeps club oldie Hasebe at Eintracht
03/21/2023 4:23 p.m
Few footballers are still playing in a professional league when they are 40 years old. Even fewer of them are field players – like Makoto Hasebe. The oldie from Eintracht Frankfurt will do it, he will extend his contract. The fact that he will play his tenth season at the club is also due to his daughter.
Football oldie Makoto Hasebe got the inspiration for his contract extension at Eintracht Frankfurt from his family. “My wife says almost nothing. But my little daughter was a walk-in child at a game and then said: Dad, just keep playing. So I have to keep playing when my daughter says so,” said the 39-year-old with a smile.
For the announcement of the new contract, which is valid until June 30, 2024, the Japanese traveled to Tokyo together with Eintracht sports director Markus Krösche. Because Hasebe enjoys legendary status in his home country. “I still feel very good and I’m really keen on playing football,” said the 114-time national player, explaining his decision to continue postponing his football pension.
With an appearance in the coming season, Hasebe would replace goalkeeper Uli Stein as the oldest Eintracht professional in history and thus also set a sporting monument on the Main. “It’s just crazy. I never thought I would play for Eintracht for so long,” said the defender, who will be 40 on January 18 next year.
Special feature in the contract only for Hasebe
“Makoto is the only professional who can decide for himself whether to extend his contract. We are glad that he made this decision and that we will stay with us for another year as a player,” said Krösche. “With his attitude, his discipline and his footballing quality, he is not only an absolute role model in our team, but also continues to be an asset to our game.”
Hasebe, who is already one of the ten oldest outfield players in Bundesliga history, has made 16 appearances in all competitions this season. In total, he has played 279 competitive games for Eintracht, with whom he won the DFB Cup in 2018 and the Europa League in 2022. Before his time in Frankfurt, he played for 1. FC Nürnberg and VfL Wolfsburg, with whom he became German champion in 2009.
“At almost 40 years of age, he is a Bundesliga great and is also an ambassador for Eintracht Frankfurt and German football beyond national borders,” said Krösche, the father of two children. His secret: determination and hunger for success.
A hot bath for your career
And then there’s the matter of the bathtub, which he regularly climbs into for better regeneration. “My water is always 42 degrees warm. It always lasts 15 to 20 minutes, and I’m reading a book, preferably about philosophy,” he once revealed. He only refrains from the ritual on the two days before a game because bathing relaxes the muscles. On the pitch, however, he needs more body tension.
This should remain the case in the coming season. “I’m very happy that I can play football at the highest level for Eintracht for another year. It’s special to be part of the team at such a big and successful club when I’m 40. I’ll continue to take on responsibility, wants to be a role model for our young players and lead the way,” promised Hasebe.
The future after the end of the active career has already been settled. Hasebe received a contract with Hessen until 2027. “Frankfurt has become my home, Eintracht is my club. That’s why I’m already looking forward to being part of this club after my career,” said Hasebe.