Sasic: "I’d certainly like to take to the field again"

Celia Sasic retired aged 27 in summer 2015. At that point she was a European Champion, Champions League winner and Germany's Footballer of the Year. Since hanging up her boots, the former Germany forward hasn’t spent much time in the public eye.

However, she recently gave an exclusive interview to DFB.de, where she discussed life with her young daughter and Christmas, as well as her views on the national team and whether she’ll return to action one day.

DFB.de: Ms. Sasic, how are things going for you and your family?

Celia Sasic: They’re going well, thanks for asking. We’re enjoying life together. Our daughter is developing quickly. She is our sunshine and knows how to make us smile every day.

DFB.de: And how are the nights?

Sasic: Some are better than others, but that’s not really a problem. Most of my energy goes towards looking after her. Anyway, if we have a bad night, it’s forgotten about in the morning. I’d do anything for her, regardless of how problematic some nights are.

DFB.de: You chose to retire in summer 2015 when you were 27. You were in your prime, so why did you make the decision to hang up your boots?

Sasic: It was a decision that I’d been thinking about for a while, it wasn’t forced upon me in anyway. It was become increasingly clear to me that I didn’t want to keep spending roughly 150 nights a year in hotel rooms. Don’t get me wrong though, I enjoyed my career, it gave me the chance to travel the world.

DFB.de: Do you miss football?

Sasic: I don’t miss the rushing about. I’d have to travel from work, to training and then back home on a daily basis as well as playing in either the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga, the Champions League, the Cup or for the national team in midweek or at the weekends. I mean, I enjoyed my time within the industry, but it was the right time to start a new chapter in my life.

DFB.de: You went out on a high, consider that you were a current European and Champions League winner as well as the Footballer of the Year when you retired. Have you played since?

Sasic: Not since Mila’s birth. It takes a while to recover after giving birth! I want to play again though, just probably not at the level I was at before. I want to spend time with my family instead of travelling the world without them. However, I love the camaraderie playing for a football team brings, so I’d certainly like to take to the field again.

DFB.de: But not for a side in the Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga?

Sasic: Probably not as that’d mean I’d be returning to the old levels of intensity, which isn’t something I’m that keen on. However, I’m not the sort of person to rule things out entirely – it’s not just not at the forefront of my thoughts currently.

DFB.de: Have you kept up to date with the sport though?

Sasic: Yes, I’ve watched a lot of Allianz Frauen-Bundesliga games on TV. I’ve not been to see one live yet but that will change at some point. I speak to a few players. I’ve been a close with a lot of the girls for a number of years and that hasn’t changed as a result of my retirement.

DFB.de: What do you make of the national team’s development?

Sasic: These are exciting times. There have been a few changes, with Steffi Jones replacing Silvia Neid as head coach as well as the fact some players have retired and others are either returning or getting involved for the first time. I’m keen to see how things will progress. I was delighted to see the team win Gold in Rio.

DFB.de: What did you make of the tournament?

Sasic: I missed the first two games because we’d just got Mila home for the first time. I think I watched the third match though. We possibly weren’t the best side in the tournament, but we were the most efficient, which is one of our strengths. It’s great that the girls came home with Gold medals. It’s important that we take the momentum from Rio into next summer’s European Championship.

DFB.de: Christmas is just around the corner. How are you going to celebrate this year?

Sasic: It’s going to be our first Christmas with Mila so it’s going to be a lot of fun. Both sets of grandparents are coming to ours so a lot of people are coming together to celebrate! I’m looking forward to it and I’m excited to see what the new year brings.