Bülter: "I know how privileged we are"

It was not a straightforward route to the German top flight for Marius Bülter. Rejected by the Preußen Münster academy, he spent many years in the Oberliga and Regionalliga. But now, at the age of 30, he has made over 100 Bundesliga appearances. "I wouldn’t have thought it possible. My path is extraordinary, this kind of thing doesn’t happen often," said Bülter, who has been wearing a TSG Hoffenheim shirt since last summer.

As a professional career was more of a dream than a realistic objective for a long time, Bülter studied mechanical engineering and completed a bachelor’s degree. "I wanted to study something that would offer me prospects and then get a good job." Football was of secondary importance – but that changed by the time of his transfer to 1. FC Magdeburg in the 2. Bundesliga at the latest.

His unusual path and his academic background allow him to see the business of professional football differently. "I’ve seen what other people have to do to earn their money," said the striker, adding: "That’s how I know exactly how privileged we professional footballers are."

Also in the February edition of the TSG magazine: Pavel Kadeřábek clears up some stereotypes about his homeland of Czechia, Max Vollmar answers questions without uttering a word in No Comment and Marta Cazalla reflects on her first Bundesliga goal for the TSG women. In addition, SPIELFELD pay a visit to Germany international and former TSG player Pascal Groß in Brighton. That and a lot more exciting content can be found on the 108 pages of the latest issue.