2024-08-12 23:20:13
Last season was disappointing for Niklas Süle. He was overweight. Now the BVB defender explains the reasons.
After a difficult year with mental and physical problems, Borussia Dortmund international Niklas Süle wants to attack again this season. “In my current condition, I will be in top shape on the first match day. I want to get to the point where I can play three times a week, always, and make a run in the 89th minute,” the defender told Sport1. The BVB defender returned from the summer break significantly slimmer and is said to have lost up to eight kilograms.
Due to a lack of form, the former Bayern professional also missed out on participating in the European Football Championship. “The decision is completely understandable and there is nothing wrong with it,” said the 28-year-old self-critically. He “takes the blame entirely on himself,” but also admitted that he was annoyed about missing the European Championship at home. “Of course you think: ‘Shit, man, you were always part of the team in the last few years. And now they can play football and you practically live in the weight room,'” said Süle.
The problems were deeper, explained Süle. “I just couldn’t manage to do the right things mentally. I couldn’t motivate myself anymore. I wanted to, but I couldn’t.” Privately, however, everything was fine for him. “I then had a lot of important conversations and got help,” he said. Discussions with his advisor and the Dortmund officials were very good. “That’s why I took it all to heart and worked on it,” said Süle.
He worked with a mental coach, changed his diet and spent many hours in the weight room. “I went into this summer break with the goal of creating something like a Niklas Süle 2.0. Now I’m in a mental state that I haven’t been in for a long time. That was probably the most intense summer of my life,” he said. That’s why he’s hoping to get playing time again despite the great competition in the squad. “We have so many games. Everyone will get their playing time. Competition stimulates business and without competition you won’t be driven.”