Samassékou: "If you give up on yourself, others will too"

Diadie Samassékou has had a turbulent few years. After three years as a regular starter, the midfielder's career came to a standstill over the last two seasons. Under coach Christian Ilzer, however, the Malian re-established himself as an important factor, before being sidelined by a thigh injury. "You can't plan for injuries and there's never a good time. But of course it was extremely hard to take for me coming when it did," said Samassékou, who suddenly became a key player for TSG again in the weeks before the forced break. After his loan spells at Olympiakos and FC Cádiz, the 29-year-old expected to never get back on his feet at Hoffenheim. "It's simply the case that you're quickly forgotten when you're no longer playing," says the midfielder, highlighting the shadowy side of the professional game. 

But Samassékou refused to give up - and was rewarded. "I love football. I just want to do my job and do everything I can for my dream. That period felt extremely long. It didn't feel like two years, more like ten," says the father of two, giving an insight into his emotional world. "But you also have to keep going for your team and keep your head up. If you give up on yourself, others will too. I've always tried to give off a positive feeling." 

A highlight of his unexpected comeback: hearing the fans chant his name after the match against FCSB Bucharest in the Europa League. "In those seconds, the last two-and-a-half years flashed before my eyes. I also thought about my family, who have always stood behind me. I didn't expect a player like me to be so valued. I always fight, but I certainly don't play the best football in the team. The kids want to be like Andrej, not like me," he says with a laugh. "But I was really pleased that people had recognised what I bring to the pitch."

Also in the March issue of SPIELFELD: Max Moerstedt answers questions in ‘No comment’, Tom Bischof describes his best goal to date and SPIELFELD takes a look at the statistics in which TSG are top of the league. Across the more than 100 pages of the current issue, the custom designed "inspired by" fashion collection of three TSG players is presented, youth coach Dallas Eakins talks about his work in an interview and the new TSG app is explained in detail.