Wang Shuo looked at the Bayer Leverkusen center-back in surprise. He noticed that Friedrich was gazing at the Mainz penalty area, his eyes red, but there was a smile on his face.
"I came to Mainz when I was 16 and stayed until I left at 28."
"I just wanted to win a championship to extend my career with the national team."
He had left because Mainz had been relegated.
At the time, everyone thought it would be very difficult for the team to return to the Bundesliga.
Mainz also needed to sell their captain for a sum of money to keep the club operating after relegation.
Friedrich's transfer could be considered a deal mutually agreed upon by both the club and the player.
Both sides got what they needed, making it a beneficial arrangement for all.
But who would have thought that just one year later, Mainz would fight their way back!
And what's more, as a newly promoted team, they had won the Bundesliga half-season championship.
