Tears flowed on the whole family when Marcus Berg, his wife Josefine and the three children Jolie, Leonel and Mateo stepped out onto Gamla Ullevi’s grass after the important Allsvenskan match against Sirius.
The career, which once began in Torsby in Värmland, ended quickly at the end of September as a result of back problems. Now the former national team striker would be praised for his efforts on the football field.
— It was like a WC final. I haven’t played a World Cup final but there have been a lot of thoughts and feelings. I know how to play a football match. How to receive something like this is difficult to prepare for, says Berg about the farewell.
“Hard to take in”
Out on the midfield, his voice cracked when he was going to thank the supporters. In retrospect, the former national team striker hardly knows what he said. Together with his family and teammates in IFK Göteborg, he then walked a slow lap of honor where the supporters’ applause never wanted to end.
This despite the fact that “Blåvitt” lost against Sirius with 0–1.
— I am incredibly grateful to IFK who arranged everything and to the fans who stay. I know the feeling after a match like this and it’s not great fun when you don’t win. But that people can and want to show their appreciation. I don’t know, it’s hard to take in.
The supporters paid tribute to Marcus Berg.
In “Blåvitt” there were 71 goals in 179 games. In addition to that, the 37-year-old also managed to represent clubs such as Dutch Groningen, German Hamburg and Greek Panathinaikos. In the men’s national team, there were 24 goals in 90 international matches.
— When we went out with the announcement, people tried to take in everything and pretty much read most of it. There is an incredible amount of nice stuff you have been a part of. Even tough stuff, says Berg.
“I’m proud of that”
TT: What stand out as highlights?
– It is difficult. But the WC quarter-final with the national team (2018) of course. The time in Panathinaikos which was a new start for me abroad and the SM gold here which I never got to celebrate (2007). It still stings a bit that I was only with half the season but it was my choice to leave after 17 games.
TT: Your teammate Gustav Svensson described you as a role model as a person and player.
– It is nice. You can’t influence other people’s view of you but I hope I haven’t made too many enemies and I don’t think I have. I have always tried to focus on doing my best for the team and I am proud of that.
Next up is an operation that will hopefully fix the back. After that, the future is still unclear.
— I have to take my time, but I think I will find my thing. There are things I’m passionate about that I will try. Then whether it is within a month or in three years, I have no idea, says Marcus Berg.