Bayern Munich star Sebastian Deisler hasn't let a series of knee injuries slow him down. (Andrew Medichini/Associated Press)
Soccer: John F. Molinaro
Deisler's tale is of hope, not depression
Last Updated Friday, Dec. 1, 2006
by John F. Molinaro
Soccer fans in Germany never saw a player like Sebastian Deisler when he burst onto the scene in 1999 as a teenager.
The same can be said of the sublimely talented Bayern Munich star in 2006, but not for the same reason: seven years ago, Deisler left Bundesliga fans awestruck with the magic he wielded on the field; today, he's wowed them with the courage he's shown off it.
Deisler was a late substitute for Bayern in its 2-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart on Nov. 18. He was only in the game for a few minutes, but his return after an eight-month layoff was nonetheless miraculous when you consider Deisler has suffered a series of debilitating knee injuries, undergone countless operations and spent nine weeks at a psychiatric institute for chronic depression during his turbulent career.
Deisler was a child prodigy who joined Borussia Monchengladbach, historically one of Germany's most successful clubs, when he was 15 and immediately earned the sobriquet "Der Supertalent." He played one season with Monchengladbach before transferring to Hertha Berlin in 1999.
It was at this point Deisler's career took off. Deisler was tabbed Germany's answer to David Beckham because of his free kick prowess and crossing ability, but he was a more complete player than the Englishman thanks to his silky smooth ball control, expert passing and unique vision.
He made an immediate impact with Hertha, helping the modest Berlin club reach the second round of the 1999-2000 Champions League. All the critics agreed: Deisler was the most promising young German star to emerge in years.
Franz Beckenbauer went so far as to crown Deisler the greatest talent in German soccer, while the media built him up as the saviour of a German national team that was in crisis following disastrous campaigns at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups.
Deisler was only 19 when he earned his first cap for Germany in February 2000, but he quickly became a regular fixture with the national team. With Deisler at peak form, winning the World Cup was a mere formality for Germany.
Things didn't go to plan, though.
Midway through 2001-02 season, Deisler suffered a knee injury that ruled him out of the 2002 World Cup. Robbed of his invention and creativity, Germany fell short of its goal, losing 2-0 to Brazil in the final.
The injury also prevented Deisler from making his debut for Bayern Munich, German soccer's top team, at the start of the 2002-03 campaign. Not for the first time, Deisler's career looked to be over.
Deisler did return late in the season but he only played eight games in his first campaign with Bayern and the following season he suffered another serious knee injury and was treated for chronic depression. Once again, his career appeared to be over.
Deisler's nine-week stay at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich gripped the entire country. The German tabloids had a field day with Deisler, poking fun at what they thought was just another spoilt millionaire soccer star who couldn't deal with the pressure, while Bayer Leverkusen's Jens Nowotny commented, rather insensitively, that Deisler succumbed to a "fashionable illness."
Unwillingly cast in the role of saviour of German soccer, it was hardly a surprise that Deisler walked away from the game to confront his problems head-on.
The fact he dealt with them in such an open fashion spoke to his strength of character, especially for someone who makes his living in the world of pro sports where athletes seek to take advantage of any perceived weakness in their opponents on the field.
After receiving treatment for his depression, Deisler returned to Bayern and his promising career appeared to be back on track when - you guessed it - yet another knee injury ruled him out for the latter part of the 2005-06 season and prevented him from playing at the World Cup.
But you can't keep a good man down, as evidenced by last weekend's game against Hamburg: down 1-0 at halftime, Bayern started Deisler at the beginning on the second half and he went on to set up both goals in a 2-1 win.
To his credit, Deisler is taking things slowly, and he doesn't seem to be in a rush to return to the starting lineup.
"He has consciously prepared for a long time. I think he will now go into the games a stronger player," Bayern coach Felix Magath said.
And, more importantly, a stronger person.
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