A footballer has been left heartbroken after his wife, also a former footballer, tragically died just days after giving birth to their second child
A footballer has been left devastated after his wife died just days after giving birth to their second child.
Playmaker Markus Mendler was absent during FC Homburg’s 1–1 draw away in Frankfurt on Friday (17 Apr), with the club citing “personal reasons”. It later emerged that his wife, Tamara Mendler, also a former footballer, had passed away during the night, aged 32.
FC Homburg said in a statement: “We were devastated and deeply shocked to learn of the death of our player Markus Mendler’s wife. Tamara Mendler passed away far too early on Friday night after a short but serious illness.
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“Only a few days ago, she gave birth to a healthy child, which makes this loss all the more unimaginable and painful. We are all left utterly speechless.”
Markus joined 1. FC Saarbrücken in 2016 before moving to Homburg in 2021. It was at Saarbrücken that he met Tamara, who played for the club’s women’s team in the 2. Bundesliga, then under her maiden name Tröster.
The club paid tribute, saying: “Tamara was a key part of our women’s team for many years and left a lasting mark on the club with her personality. On and off the pitch, she was a valued teammate and a role model.”
Alongside her football career, Tamara also trained with the Saarland police.
Markus, 33, has spent most of his career in Germany’s fourth tier, the Regionalliga Südwest, but has also featured in the DFB-Pokal – the German equivalent of the FA Cup.
Originally from Memmingen, he has played for clubs across the country, including 1. FC Nürnberg, and has represented Germany at U20, U19 and U18 level.
Tamara, a midfielder, last played in the 2016/17 season. FC Saarbrücken said: “Our thoughts are especially with her husband Markus Mendler, who also has close ties to the club, as well as with their children, family and friends.”