Birthday boy of the month: Zoltan Sebescen turns 50

Primarily deployed as a right-back, Zoltan signed for VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga in 1999, where he quickly established himself. There he also achieved a very special milestone: He became the first player in VfL Wolfsburg's club history to be called up to the Germany team. He made his only international appearance against the Netherlands in 2000.

regular starter for the Werkself in historic season

Bayer 04 boss Reiner Calmund then brought him under the Bayer Cross in 2001. In the 2001/02 season, Sebescen was part of the team that achieved historic results: runners-up in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal finalists and finalists in the UEFA Champions League. Towards the end of the season, he started to have physical problems, but he gritted his teeth until the end of the campaign. Afterwards, he repeatedly struggled with knee problems, the causes of which initially remained unclear. It was only later it turned out to be caused by Lyme disease following a tick bite. Despite numerous operations and attempts at rehabilitation, he never returned to his former level of performance. In August 2005, at the age of just 29, Zoltan ended his playing career. He played 57 games and scored seven goals for Bayer 04.

After he stopped playing, Zoltan Sebescen embarked on a new career. He trained as a sports business administrator and studied sports management. In the years that followed, he worked as a youth coordinator at Stuttgarter Kickers and later as an agent with the MWS Sport- und Musikmarketing agency among others. He has always maintained a connection with football - albeit no longer on the big stage. His comeback to amateur football is particularly noteworthy: In 2019, he joined TV Unterboihingen in the Kreisliga A and showed his passion for the game was unbroken. He also plays for the Bayer 04 Veterans from time to time.

Today, Zoltan Sebescen lives in Stuttgart with his wife and two sons. Family is centre stage for him. He has consciously opted for a quieter life away from the limelight and enjoys simply being a father. He accompanies his children to sports events and is involved in the local community.

Dear Zoltan, I wish you all the best for your 50th birthday!