Demme retires from football due to repeated head injuries
Former Napoli and Germany international Diego Demme has announced that he is leaving professional football because of two serious head injuries he suffered. Demme said he did not want to risk his health.
Diego Demme has ended his 16-year professional football career. His journey from Germany's lower leagues to the Bundesliga and Serie A saw him contribute to RB Leipzig's establishment among Europe's elite. At Napoli, he played an important role in winning the Scudetto after 33 years. Demme announced his decision to leave professional football on 23 September.
Two serious head injuries in a short period were decisive in his decision. Demme said he did not want to risk his health and wanted to end his career while he was still healthy.
Demme returned to Germany in 2024 and took on the captaincy at Hertha Berlin. However, this return quickly turned into a nightmare. In a match on 15 September 2024, which Hertha lost 2-0 to Fortuna Düsseldorf, he took a blow to the jaw and then experienced headaches, dizziness and problems with his right eye.
Four months later, he lost consciousness in training after a ball struck him at close range near his temple. Recurring headaches, dizziness and psychological difficulties led to him missing 27 matches over the last two seasons.
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