Christoph Metzelder facts for kids

Christoph Tobias Metzelder, born on November 5, 1980, is a German former professional football player. He mostly played as a defender for Borussia Dortmund. Even though he faced many injuries, he played 47 games for the German national team. He even played in two World Cups and the Euro 2008 tournament.

Metzelder also played for Real Madrid and Schalke 04. He played 178 matches in the Bundesliga (Germany's top league) and scored four goals during his ten years there.

Quick facts for kids
Christoph Metzelder

Metzelder in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth	(1980-11-05) 5 November 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth	Haltern, West Germany
Height	1.94 m
Playing position	Centre-back
Youth career
1986–1995	TuS Haltern
1995–1996	Schalke 04
1996–1998	Preußen Münster
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1999–2000	Preußen Münster	32	(4)
2000–2007	Borussia Dortmund	126	(2)
2007–2010	Real Madrid	23	(0)
2010–2013	Schalke 04	52	(2)
2013–2014	TuS Haltern	1	(0)
Total		234	(8)
National team
2000–2001	Germany U21	9	(1)
2001–2008	Germany	47	(0)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Germany FIFA World Cup Runner-up 2002 South Korea–Japan Third 2006 Germany UEFA European Championship Runner-up 2008 Austria–Switzerland
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Christoph Metzelder's Football Journey

Playing for Borussia Dortmund

Metzelder with Dortmund

Christoph Metzelder was born in Haltern, Germany. In the year 2000, he joined Borussia Dortmund from SC Preußen Münster. He quickly became a successful player for the team.

After his first season in the Bundesliga, he played his first game for the German national team. This is called earning a "cap." He played in a friendly match against Hungary in August 2001.

In his second season with Dortmund, Metzelder helped his team win the German national title in 2002. He also played 14 games for Germany, helping them reach the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. However, he missed the entire 2003–04 season because of a serious leg injury. He only played 16 league games the next season.

After more than two years, Metzelder was called back to the national team in October 2005. He also scored his first two league goals for Dortmund that season. He was a main player for Germany at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, playing alongside Per Mertesacker.

Time at Real Madrid

Metzelder playing for Real Madrid in 2009

On April 18, 2007, Metzelder moved to Real Madrid in Spain. He joined them for free after his contract with Borussia Dortmund ended. In February 2008, he had foot surgery, which made him miss almost two months of games. He returned in May and played a full game against Real Zaragoza.

Even though he didn't play much for Real Madrid, Metzelder played in all of Germany's matches at UEFA Euro 2008. He again played alongside Mertesacker. In the 2008–09 season, he played more games because another player, Pepe, was suspended. He had a great game in a 4–2 win against Sevilla FC. He played his most games in Spain that season, 12 in total.

Metzelder left Real Madrid when his contract ended on June 30, 2010.

Back to Germany

Metzelder with Schalke in 2010

On April 27, 2010, Metzelder announced he would return to Germany. He signed a three-year contract with FC Schalke 04. He had played for Schalke's youth team 15 years earlier. His first two league games with Schalke in the 2010–11 season were both 2–1 losses.

Metzelder played in ten matches in the Champions League that season, where Schalke reached the semi-finals. He also played five games in the German Cup, which Schalke won. This included the semi-final against FC Bayern Munich and the final against MSV Duisburg.

In May 2013, Metzelder, at 32 years old, announced he was retiring from professional football. In July 2019, he started working as a football expert for the TV channel ARD.

Personal Life

Christoph Metzelder has a younger brother named Malte. Malte was also a football player and a defender. Both brothers played for Borussia Dortmund.

Christoph has a daughter named Emma, born in 2009.

In 2006, he started an organization to help young people in Germany who are facing difficulties. He continues to run this organization today.

Career Statistics

Club Games

International Games

Football Achievements

Borussia Dortmund

• Bundesliga: 2001–02 (Winner)
• DFB-Ligapokal runner-up: 2003 (Second Place)
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2001–02 (Second Place)

Real Madrid

• La Liga: 2007–08 (Winner)
• Supercopa de España: 2008 (Winner)

Schalke 04

• DFB-Pokal: 2010–11 (Winner)
• DFL-Supercup: 2011 (Winner); runner-up: 2010 (Second Place)

Germany National Team

• FIFA World Cup runner-up: 2002 (Second Place); third place: 2006 (Third Place)
• UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2008 (Second Place)

Individual Award

• Bravo Award: 2002 (Best Young Player in Europe)

See also

In Spanish: Christoph Metzelder para niños