The FIFA Women’s World Player 2014 and European Footballer of the Year 2014, also led her club sides to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, the German championship and the DFB Cup twice each.
On her decision to retire, she said: “I thank VfL Wolfsburg for successful years and many unforgettable memories, just as much as I, of course, also think of my time with the. national team back It is very painful for me to have to realize that my career can on longer continue for health reasons. Nevertheless, I look forward to the future and am grateful for many beautiful moments that I experienced with the club and the DFB team. Now I am looking forward to new challenges and opportunities.”
Kessler was with the Germany side that were 2013 European champions and played 29 times between 2010 and 2014, scoring ten goals.
“For German women’s football, it is of course a great loss,” said head coach Silvia Neid. “Nadine Kessler has outstanding footballing qualities and is an impressive personality.”
Kessler played from 2004 to 2009 for 1. FC Saarbrücken, with which she was twice champion and top scorer in the 2. Bundesliga South. After joining Turbine Potsdam, she won the Champions League in 2010 and twice the German League. Since 2011 she played for Wolfsburg but from season 2014-15 the midfielder struggled with persistent knee problems, whic stifled several comeback attempts.
Source / photo – dfb.de
