The sentence is legendary in the German professional football industry. Christian Heidel, former manager of FC Schalke 04, reported four years ago on a conversation with Roger Wittmann, Max Meyer’s advisor.
It was about a new contract for midfielder Meyer, so Wittmann said: “I’m talking about the world-class player Max Meyer, who will be a regular in every top European team and is likely to go to Russia for the World Cup. If we are talking about the same player, you can send me an offer. If we’re talking about different players, you don’t need to send me an offer.”
The hoped-for mega-contract for the former international (a salary of 5.5 million euros per year was reportedly expected) was never signed, and Meyer did not take part in the World Cup. After that, Max Meyer’s bitter years of wandering began. Now the next transfer follows. After just twelve games (one goal) it’s already over for his current club.
Meyer was once considered the talent at Schalke, in 2016 he won the silver medal with the German team at the Olympic Games in Brazil and scored the German goal in the final against Brazil (4:5 on pens). In 2017 he won the European Championship with the U21s.
After moving to Crystal Palace in the summer of 2018, the then young star did not make the breakthrough there. Now the now 26-year-old Meyer is also leaving the Turkish club Fenerbahce Istanbul and moving to FC Luzern in Switzerland. Fenerbahce announced that the contract, which was valid until 2023, was terminated by mutual consent. The midfielder received a contract in Lucerne until 2024.
It is Meyer’s fifth club since leaving Schalke four years ago. He has since played for English club Crystal Palace, 1. FC Köln, Fenerbahce, Danish club FC Midtjylland and now Luzern.
Meyer moved from Cologne to Fenerbahce on a free transfer a year ago, but couldn’t convince there and was loaned out to Midtjylland in the winter. The club did not use its purchase option. In Istanbul, Meyer was recently even suspended from the stands and was not allowed to go to the training camp. Coach Jorge Jesus made it clear: Meyer has no future with “Fener”.
Meyer said about his move to Switzerland: “I wanted to reorient myself and in the discussions with Remo Meyer (head of sport, ed.) and Mario Frick (coach, ed.) me and the team, convince.”
Lucerne’s sporting director Meyer said: “With Max Meyer we were able to sign a player who, despite being only 26 years old, has a lot of experience and is an ideal addition to our squad. We are convinced that we can benefit from Max’s qualities and that in return Max can give new impetus to his career.”
Meyer played his last senior international match in November 2016 (8-0 in San Marino). In Lucerne, he plays alongside former national player Christian Gentner, who used to be under contract with VfB Stuttgart and 1. FC Union Berlin. In 2018, Meyer’s market value was estimated at 18 million euros, now at 500,000 euros.
