Nuri Sahin: Borussia’s Man

True Love

In a time of chaos and confusion for Dortmund supporters, one man provides us all with a sense of reason, Nuri Sahin. The 28 year old has been an integral of the club, making over 200 appearances. He recently opened up to the world in a very emotional article titled, ‘Echte Liebe’ on The Players Tribune. Even the non German Dortmund fans could tell you that Echte Liebe, the club motto, translates to True Love. This is exactly the thing Sahin has embodied throughout his Dortmund tenure. For a team that is no stranger to losing star players in search for more money and more glory, Sahin has admitted Dortmund offers what other clubs can’t. An undying sense of passion and belief that courses through the veins of the the city and team. Nuri even admitted that he was once lured away by glory of Real Madrid, but things didn’t feel quite right. A part of him was missing in Madrid, a black and yellow part.

“I wasn’t missing something from my game, I was missing something from my life. I needed to be part of the family at Dortmund again. The people there are the reason I played football like I do.”

So Nuri returned home. Back to the people and city that made him the player he is. Since his return, he and the fans have experienced some truly magical moments filled with happiness. But also something so dark and dreadful, it changed the landscape of Borussia Dortmund forever.

The Bombing

On April 11, 2017, the world stood still for an hour. The Borussia Dortmund team bus was the victim of a vicious bombing en route to their Champions League match. Reports slowly surfaced and thankfully, all involved came away with their lives. Nuri recalled the horrors of this night in great detail.

“In the span of maybe two seconds, I thought of my entire life. I thought of dying — but I thought of living, too. And then I thought of my family. I saw my five-year-old son, my one-year-old daughter and my wife. I could feel them there with me.”

Nuri then said he noticed Marc Bartra in great pain, with blood flowing out of his arm. He could feel the terror Marc was going through, just by looking in his eyes. Once the team got to safety, Nuri was responsible for trying to explain to Marc’s wife what had just happened. He had no idea if her husband would be OK, which engulfed her in despair.

“I could hear her crying. I won’t forget that sound for as long as I live. Never. I wouldn’t wish what she was feeling in that moment on my worst enemy.”

By the grace of something more powerful than us, Marc Bartra also fully recovered and returned to the field a few months later. While it is a miracle that everyone escaped with their lives, the darkness of this night will forever linger in the minds of those involved. Sahin remembers the feeling of being frozen in shock afterwards, unable to fully process the terror that just occurred. His feelings trapped inside until he could no longer contain them:

“I parked my car in the driveway and took a few steps up the walkway … and I saw my wife and kids standing in the doorway. I stopped — I just looked at them for a few seconds. And then I started to cry. I cried like I never had before. I hugged my daughter. I felt her face against mine and I thought, I am so lucky. I am so lucky. I am so lucky.”

And lucky he is. We are all lucky to be quite frank. A dark time for Dortmund, but the world avoided enduring a terrible tragedy that April night.

Sahin’s Importance

Nuri Sahin’s article on The Player Tribune has opened his life up to fans across the globe. He has expressed his deepest thoughts and explained exactly what Dortmund means to him. However, one part of the article that was not covered is arguably just as important. What does Nuri Sahin mean to Dortmund? Apart from being a stellar central midfield player, Nuri is an ambassador of the club on and off the field. He plays with passion and it fuels him to perform at his highest level. Even through injury and hard times, an unwavering smile could always be found on Sahin’s face. He represents a key group of core players that have made this team special through the years. The idea that no player is bigger than the team and the sum is bigger than the whole is the mantra that Dortmund has thrived upon. Sahin has even been a key figure in bringing new players up through the team. Christian Pulisic himself has said that Sahin helped mentor him along through his meteoric rise, in an ESPN Interview. It is things like these that make Sahin the perfect player for Dortmund. He understands his role and is always putting the team first. Sahin said he feels lucky to be at Dortmund, but Dortmund is just as lucky to have him. His characteristics are special, and they are something that seems almost impossible to come by in this day and age.

 Strength

They say you find a piece of yourself in the football club you choose to support. Dortmund fans alike will probably agree with this statement. Sahin’s revealing piece about his Dortmund life really put his fans right in his boots. He has emphasized how special it is to be a Borussia Dortmund player by expressing his passion for the club. He made his debut 12 years ago with the club and has since been through it all. The highest of the highs and lowest of the lows. But through it all, the club motto has lived on. ‘Echte Liebe’. Perhaps Sahin described it better than anyone could.

“Echte liebe. It means true love — and to love without any conditions. That’s the Borussia spirit. That’s our strength.”

This is the strength that has thrust Dortmund to great success in the world of football. But perhaps this strength has even carried them further. Maybe it was this strength that saved these men from the terrible bombing attack. The strength from within and around the players that shielded them, allowed them to return to the field they love to keep playing on. Whatever it may be, its certain that the Dortmund spirit will live on. Echte Liebe, as it always has been and as it always will. After all, it is all Dortmund has ever known.