Kevin-Prince Boateng, the Ghanaian attacker, was left devastated after Hertha Berlin’s 1-1 draw with VfL Bochum on Saturday, which resulted in his childhood team being relegated from the Bundesliga.
Boateng, who will retire at the end of the current season, had hoped to keep Berlin in the top tier.
However, their chances were dashed when they failed to secure the crucial victory that would have secured their promotion to the Bundesliga.
After the game, Boateng stayed at the stadium for several hours to reflect on his final campaign in the Bundesliga.
Speaking to reporters, an emotional Boateng expressed his disbelief and sorrow, saying, “I can’t believe it yet. It’s just bitter. I love this club. I came here knowing that not everything would be easy. The fans are angry, disappointed, and sad, and that’s completely normal. I can understand them because I’m a Hertha fan myself.”
Boateng, who has a special connection to Hertha Berlin due to his upbringing, will have one more chance to play for the team in the season finale against Wolfsburg. Boateng spent 20 years playing for clubs abroad, including Portsmouth, AC Milan, and Barcelona, before rejoining Hertha Berlin in 2021. However, his time with the team has come to an end.
Boateng signed a one-year deal with recently promoted Serie B team Monza, which includes a one-year extension option, on September 28, 2020. He scored his first goal in a 1-2 home loss to Chievo on October 24, 2020, by converting a penalty.
On December 15, 2020, Boateng scored two goals with his head to help Monza defeat Virtus Entella 5-0. On June 23, 2021, Boateng returned to Hertha BSC.
