Van Dijk, Dybala, Podolski react to Hummels retirement call: ‘Legend, Teacher’ | OneFootball

Several icons of the world’s game have sent well-wishing messages to Roma defender Mats Hummels, who has recently announced that he will retire at the end of the 2024-25 season.

In an emotional video shared via his social media platforms on Friday afternoon, Hummels announced that he will be calling it a day in the summer after an 18-year-long career that brought him five Bundesliga titles, three DFB Pokal trophies, six German Supercup wins, two Champions League final appearances, and most famously, the 2014 World Cup with Germany.

Football stars send messages to Hummels after retirement

Several  teammates past and present have already sent public messages to the 36-year-old following his announcement.

Two of his clubs, Roma and Borussia Dortmund, have both published dedicated posts congratulating Hummels for his stellar career.

Hummels has also received messages from several organisations that have played important parts in his career:  FIFA, the Bundesliga, Sky Sport, DAZN, Adidas among them.

Countless teammates past and present have sent Hummels messages as well. The majority of the current Roma squad have already flooded the comments section of his Instagram.

“What a player,” wrote Giallorossi teammate Paulo Dybala, while captain Lorenzo Pellegrini described his teammate as a “legend, as a player and as a man.” Gianluca Mancini, meanwhile labelled him a “professor”.

Mile Svilar, Alexis Saelemaekers, Nicolo Pisilli, Devyne Rensch, Saud Abdulhamid and Nicola Zalewski are also among the recent Roma players to wish Hummels well. “Legend” is the recurring theme of their messages.

Several Dortmund players from both of his two spells with the club have also been active in the comments. “It was my honour,” wrote Julian Brandt, “Teacher, all the best for the future,” wrote Nico Schlotterbeck, while Kevin Groβkreutz wrote: “Thank you, my friend.”

Achraf Hakimi, Łukasz Piszczek, Salih Özcan, Kevin Trapp, Felix Nmecha and Mahmoud Dahoud have also replied.

There was also a message from James Rodriguez, who wrote: “Legend Mats”, Lukasz Podolski wrote: “Thank you for everything my friend,” while Virgil Van Dijk also ‘applauded’ him in the comments section.