Tim Wiese isn’t your ordinary goalkeeper in any stretch of the imagination. The German backstop played six times for the full national team during a 15-year career that took him from Cologne to Hoffenheim.
But it’s what he’s up to now -- and how he got there -- that makes Wiese’s story a truly intriguing tale.
Ridiculed after Hoffenheim failed to achieve its lofty goals, Wiese turned to a distraction, an outlet. It wasn’t food, drink or worse; Tim Wiese turned to bodybuilding.
And did he.
The jacked-up keeper was released by Hoffenheim last season as his body became too muscular to stand between the sticks (at least according to the club).
His next organization? It just may be World Wrestling Entertainment. From TopDrawerSoccer.com:In any case, Wiese told German news outlet Bild that he’s received an offer from the WWE (that’s American professional wrestling for you neophytes) and is seriously mulling it over. The WWE apparently had its interest piqued initially when Wiese pushed out this muscle-bound selfie last year. It appears his fall from grace in the soccer realm coincided neatly with his rise as a lifter of very heavy objects.
Wiese hasn’t yet accepted the offer, but it sounds like there’s a legitimate chance the nation’s fine network of professional wrestling fans will soon have a former international soccer player to cheer (or despise, depending on the script. Hopefully they don’t dress him up in a Nazi goalkeeper kit). On the topic, Wiese told Bild, “Why should I say no right away? Wrestling is very popular, especially in the United States. I will discuss the request in the next few weeks with my advisor.”
He looks like a wrestler, that’s for sure (no way it’s natural, right?). This Eurosport article delves into his expansion, and is truly interesting. A highlight or two:
“When I came to Hoffenheim, we thought we could challenge for European places. Then everything backfired.
“And every time we lost, it seemed it was my fault; I was being analysed and criticised, not the team. It was all about me.
“Despite my experience and confidence, I had never faced this before. It culminated in a fan protest at the club’s office – a fan protest, just against me!
“There were only a few of these fans, but this made me feel deeply unwanted, and I would never wish this on another player.
“It was like being in a horror movie. The pressure was inhuman. I could not play freely.”
The article also details how Wiese chose Hoffenheim over a move to Real Madrid to back up Iker Casillas. But he wanted to play, which led him here.
Lots of folks will crack wise over the story, and that’s understandable. But at least part of the tale is really tough to read. He was driven to lift...and lift... and lift. What comes next will certainly bear following with interest.
