Introduction to Jonathan Tah’s Career
Jonathan Tah suddenly decided to retire, looking back on an experienced career. He is considered one of the best defenders in Europe and played a key role in Bayern Leverkusen’s unprecedented double win of the Bundesliga and the German Cup in 2024. Tah told DW, "From now on I did everything to be the best version of me. But of course I can and would like to get more and more out of myself."
Consistent Performance
Tah performed at his consistently high level last season, winning 65% of his duels and completing almost 94% of his passes. Such statistics were not lost on Bayern Munich, which signed the defender for the coming season. Born in Hamburg, Tah made his debut under the then-national team coach Joachim Löw in early 2016 but did not make it easy for himself after that, not being appointed for big tournaments.
Hard Work Pays Off
It was only since Julian Nagelsmann, as a Germany coach together with Antonio Rüdiger, that Tah has become an integral part of central defense. "It’s like life," Tah said, "there is always a few ups and downs." He always believed in the value of hard work, saying, "I don’t want to sound arrogant, but it was logical that it would pay off at some point."
Credit to Alonso
Tah credits Xabi Alonso, his trainer at Leverkusen, with helping him get to where he is now. Alonso advised Tah to maintain his focus and concentration in every game to consistently deliver high-level performances. Tah signed his first professional contract with Hamburg at the age of 17 but gave it up and sold it to Leverkusen in 2015. He believes that while talent brought him to Leverkusen, hard work was responsible for everything that came after.
Life Off the Field
Tah likes to spend time off the field with his wife, friends, and his dog. He finds it good for him to step out of his role as a professional footballer and into the roles of husband and friend. One of his other passions is traveling. Last month, he made a trip to a place particularly important to him, where his father was born.
A Sense of Pride
Tah was impressed by how "football mad" African fans are. He said, "You just love this sport, and you can feel this passion." He feels proud to be able to inspire and motivate people. Although it was only a short journey, meeting with normal people in the West African country made an impression on Tah. He plans to visit his father’s home more often in the future but now focuses on football and Germany, competing in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League.
Reflection and Future
Tah’s visit to his father’s homeland gave him a new perspective on life. He reflected, "What problems do I actually have here? Are these really problems, or is it actually nonsense to worry about little things?" With his focus back on football, Tah is set to compete in significant matches, including the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League, where not only Germany fans will be pulling for him.
