“The best thing that could have happened to me”: Mats Hummels in Black & Yellow for the last time | OneFootball

“Mats Hummels is one of the greatest players that Borussia Dortmund have ever developed – and that says a lot, given the number of professional players that we have produced. We will always remain closely connected to Mats,” said Hans-Joachim Watzke, the Chairman of the BVB Board of Management, back in April when Hummels announced he would be hanging up his boots. Four months later, the defender bade farewell to the place where he spent most of his professional career – Dortmund's SIGNAL IDUNA PARK.

Even during the warm-up, there was plenty of applause and chanting for the BVB legend, who warmed up in front of the South Stand – just like he used to do on a fortnightly basis. “He made history – and yet he was always one of us. A thinker on the pitch, a fighter with heart and a true Borussia player. We want to say thank you for everything. Once a Borussia player, always a Borussia player,” said Nobby Dickel on the sidelines of the pitch as the defender was officially bid farewell by BVB President Dr. Reinhold Lunow, BVB Honorary President Dr. Reinhard Rauball and the BVB management. Following his farewell, the Borussia player even led the Black & Yellows onto the field as captain shortly before kick-off and enjoyed the 15 minutes he spent on the pitch against Juventus.

Then came a surprise: at half-time, Hummels got to admire his new legend motif which is now displayed right next to Siggi Held's. Our former No. 15 is now immortalised with his own picture at the stadium and will be part of every matchday at SIGNAL IDUNA PARK from now on.

After the final whistle, the emotions ran high one last time. Hummels addressed the Black & Yellow faithful directly on the pitch: “I came here 17 years ago – as a 19-year-old, as a young child. And I grew up with you. I couldn't have imagined anything better than growing up with this club and in this city.” Hummels then turned to his former team-mates. “I hope that in a few years, some of you will feel the same way I do. What happened here was the best thing that could have happened to me.” The defender actually wanted to say more, but he didn't need to. The scenes that followed in front of the South Stand, with standing ovations and chants throughout his lap of honour, showed how emotional the moment was – not only for Hummels but also for the fans. At 19:42 CEST, the No. 15 waved one last time towards the stands. Then the BVB legend disappeared into the Dortmund players' tunnel for the last time in his career.

The 35-year-old centre-back played for Borussia Dortmund from January 2008 to June 2016 and from July 2019 to June 2024. Hummels made 508 appearances (38 goals / 23 assists) for BVB across all competitions and won the German Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012, as well as the DFB-Pokal in 2012 and 2021. The World Cup winner played twice (2013, 2024) for BVB in the Champions League final in London, where he played his last official game for BVB in 2024. After Michael Zorc (572 games), Hummels is only the second player to cross the 500-game threshold for BVB. With 508 appearances, the 35-year-old occupies second spot on Borussia's all-time appearances list.

Borussia's former No. 15 joined BVB from Bayern Munich in January 2008. He spent three more seasons with Bayern between 2016 and 2019, before then returning to Dortmund. After a total of 13 years, Hummels moved to AS Roma in Serie A in the summer of 2024. After one season, 20 appearances and one goal for the Italians, the 2014 World Cup winner announced his retirement – which he celebrated on Sunday in Black & Yellow – in April 2025.

Can't get enough of Mats? The BVB Fan Shop has an exclusive collection for all fans to mark the farewell of the BVB legend!