German football player Markus Mendler (33) is experiencing the worst nightmare. Just a few days after his wife Tamara († 32) gave birth to his second child, she died unexpectedly on Saturday night after a “short and severe illness”, he writes.
Mendler is a former player of the Bundesliga 1. FC Nuremberg and currently works in the German IV. league in the jersey of FC Homburg. His wife Tamara was also a professional soccer player in the past. She played for 1. FC Saarbrücken, where the couple originally met. The first news of Tamara’s death spread to the public after Markus missed last Friday’s league game at FSV Frankfurt for “personal reasons”.
The clubs expressed their sincere condolences and pledge their support
Markus’ current team released a moving statement on the tragic event. “It is with great shock and deep sadness that we received the news of the death of the wife of our player Markus Mendler. Tamara left this world too soon, on Saturday night, after a short and difficult illness. Just a few days ago, she gave birth to a healthy baby. This crushing loss is all the more incomprehensible and painful, leaving us all speechless,” wrote FC Homburg and continued.
“In these dark and difficult times, our deepest condolences go out to Markus, his two children and the entire family. Words can hardly express what such a loss means. We are thinking of you, grieving with you and wishing you all the strength in the world during this difficult time. As a club, we stand firmly together in these moments: Markus can be sure of our unconditional support. We stand behind him and will help him and his family in every possible way,” he added.
The club 1. FC Saarbrücken, where Tamara worked for many years, also published an emotional memory of her former player. “1. FC Saarbrücken is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Tamara Mendler. Tamara was an important part of our women’s team for many years and her personality left a lasting mark on the club. She was a highly valued teammate and role model on and off the field. In these extremely difficult hours, we are thinking above all of her husband Markus, who was also closely connected with our club as a player, as well as of her children, all relatives and friends.” management said.
