Jérôme Boateng's contract with Olympique Lyon runs for twelve months. Playing in the Bundesliga again afterwards would not be a "no go" for him. Especially since the ex-Bayern star had the best years of his football life there, as he says himself.
Rio world champion Jérôme Boateng can imagine a return to the Bundesliga. "The topic is not closed. The Bundesliga is not a no-go," said the long-time Bayern Munich defender in an interview with "Kicker". About a year ago, Boateng moved from the German record champions to Olympique Lyon on a free transfer. His contract expires next summer. Boateng could "imagine a lot in Europe. That includes Germany because it's a great league with great teams and great fans."
In ten years, the 33-year-old had won nine German championship titles and two Champions Leagues with the Munich side. Those were "the best years of my football life," said Boateng. When asked about national player Niklas Süle's move from Bayern to Borussia Dortmund during this transfer phase, Boateng said: "I think it's a shame it had to come to this because Niki has huge potential."
Boateng also had words of praise for Süle's successor at the record champions. Bayern newcomer Matthijs de Ligt is "a very good guy, down to earth," he said. "His qualities speak for themselves. A type of leader who will hopefully continue to improve at FCB and continue on his way to becoming a world-class defender." Bayern paid around 67 million euros for de Ligt and possibly other bonuses to Juventus Turin.
Boateng also said that Germany "still has a lot of work to do" in the fight against racism. "Unfortunately, it can still be experienced in our everyday life. Racism is a disease that has to go!" However, the current world situation "also offers an opportunity for a new beginning," Boateng told the "kicker". "Tackle together and move together for a better Germany. The war in Ukraine is not far away, that gives food for thought."
During his career, Boateng had repeatedly called for the fight against racism and exclusion. The defender, who was born in Berlin and whose father is from Ghana, has repeatedly been confronted with racism himself. Before the EM 2016, the then AfD Vice Alexander Gauland caused great outrage with the statement in an interview with the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung" that Boateng was found good as a footballer, "but they don't want a Boateng as a neighbor". In France, racism is "already an issue," said Boateng, "you saw that in the last election, when many French voted for a right-wing candidate. We players talk about it."
In January 2007, Boateng made his Bundesliga debut with Hertha BSC, only a few months later he switched to Hamburger SV. After three years in the Hanseatic city, the central defender went to Manchester City, from where he moved to Bayern after twelve months. In 2016, Boateng was also voted Germany's footballer of the year.
