Birger Maertens was a recognizable face at Club Brugge for years. As a reliable defender, he was part of a successful period in which blue and black won two national titles. He was known for his commitment, discipline and down-to-earth mentality. The man now surprised with a spectacular story.
READ ALSO:
Fracture consumed: Amy Sonck sets Instagram on fire
From champion to permanent fixture at Club Brugge
Maertens had a great career in the football world. In addition to his period at Club Brugge, he also worked at Dutch Heracles and Westerlo, among others.
He was certainly not the man to talk big, but he was always willing to work for the team. For many supporters, Maertens remained the example of a player who proved his worth without any frills.
Away from the football world
Today, that chapter is finally closed, we read The Newspaper. Except when he follows his son Naguy at Knokke, football hardly plays a role in his life. He leaves the stadiums, dressing rooms and media attention behind without feeling homesick.
According to Maertens, that world simply means nothing to him anymore. That choice did not come suddenly but grew gradually. He found peace in a life that is less about performance in front of thousands of people. Maertens has been working at Medini in Bruges for four years. His job is surprisingly simple and at the same time completely different from his former life.
He supplies medication to veterinarians and builds relationships with customers. It is a job that gives him structure and freedom at the same time. As a true animal lover, he feels perfectly at home. At home, two cats and a puppy provide extra motivation. For Maertens, this work is not a stopover but a conscious choice that gives him satisfaction.
New adrenaline in marathons
Yet the need for physical challenge remained. Since this year, Maertens has devoted himself fully to running. He trains several times a week and builds up his weekends with long distances. The result is impressive. He has already lost a lot of weight and feels physically stronger than he has in years.
Remarkably, running used to be his weak point as a footballer. Today he happily gets up before dawn to train. The passion of that time lives on, but in a completely new form.
