Thomas Hitzlsperger is a soccer legend, a popular TV presenter, and the author of Mutproben (Tests of Courage), a candid memoir shaped in large part by his coming out after his retirement as a professional player.
There is a place for me being gay – being openly gay – that doesn't exclude me from the highest positions in soccer and that's something I wanted to prove. I don't want to be on the outside and complain about the industry, I want to be part of it and say: There is a way.
Thomas Hitzlsperger
In a candid conversation with the team at Gegenüber magazine, Thomas Hitzlsperger opened up about his journey as a gay man in professional sports. He reflected on the significance of his decision to come out, describing it as a personal mission to spark meaningful change in public discourse. Hitzlsperger also revisited some of the highlights of his soccer career, including memorable moments with VfB Stuttgart and the German national team. He shared how his relationship with the sport has evolved over time and offered heartfelt insights into what Pride represents for him today. Watch the whole interview:
