Former Germany defender Marcell Jansen has quit professional football at the age of just 29 following his release by Hamburg.
In 2007, Jansen had the world at his feet when he joined Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich having been part of the Germany squad which finished third at the 2006 World Cup on home soil and he played in the Euro 2008 final when Germany lost to Spain.
But having failed to break into Bayern’s first-team, Jansen was sold to Hamburg in 2008 where he has spent recent seasons battling relegation. His decision to quit came despite offers from England’s Everton and Benfica Lisbon.
The left-back says he now just wants to play football as a hobby and refuses to play half-heartedly for a new club just to further his career.
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"I've been thinking about things a lot during the summer break," Jansen told daily newspaper Bild, having made 242 appearances in Germany's top flight.
“There were great offers. But, for me, moving on is not an option.
“I could not play somewhere for two or three years where I do not stand behind it 100 per cent.
“I can’t suddenly kiss another badge now.
“Recently, football has been my job, but I’m looking forward to getting it back again as a hobby.”
Jansen won the last of his 45 caps for Germany in March 2014, when he started in a 1-0 friendly win over Chile, and although he was included in Joachim Joachim Low’s provisional World Cup squad, he was cut from the final group which went on to win Brazil 2014.
Having already set up his own company and started a gym-clothes line, Jansen is already thinking about a new career.
“I’d like to get involved with a start-up business, for example, it’s something I have been dreaming of with 100 percent passion,” he said.
“In 11 years of Bundesliga, I have been lucky enough to have earned good money, which means I am free to decide my next step.”
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Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
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Director: Hansal Mehta
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Movie: Saheb, Biwi aur Gangster 3
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Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mahie Gill, Chitrangda Singh, Kabir Bedi
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
What to watch out for:
Algae, waste coffee grounds and orange peels will be used in the pavilion's walls and gangways
The hulls of three ships will be used for the roof
The hulls will painted to make the largest Italian tricolour in the country’s history
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Roughly 15 tonnes of steel will be used
Dubai World Cup prize money
Group 1 (Purebred Arabian) 2000m Dubai Kahayla Classic - $750,000
Group 2 1,600m(Dirt) Godolphin Mile - $750,000
Group 2 3,200m (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint – $1,000,000
Group 2 1,900m(Dirt) UAE Derby – $750,000
Group 1 1,200m (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen – $1,500,000
Group 1 1,800m (Turf) Dubai Turf – $4,000,000
Group 1 2,410m (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic – $5,000,000
Group 1 2,000m (Dirt) Dubai World Cup– $12,000,000
RACE SCHEDULE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
The specs
Engine: Long-range single or dual motor with 200kW or 400kW battery
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Max touring range: 620km / 590km
Price: From Dh250,000 (estimated)