Former German international Timo Werner has spoken candidly about the severe psychological strain caused by years of fan abuse during his Bundesliga career. “I’ve been through a lot of shit in my career. In Germany, I also had to go through a lot of shit. There were moments when I was at home and really on the ground,” Werner said in an interview on the podcast “The Late Run”.
The 30-year-old, now playing for San Jose Earthquakes in the MLS, detailed how the constant boos and chants affected him both publicly and privately. “I asked myself: What the hell? No matter which stadium I go to, I get booed everywhere,” he stated. “They sang songs about me, constantly came up with things—it was really hard. In no city I went to could I be undisturbed.” Werner, who has 57 caps for Germany, said he is now particularly proud of having endured those difficult periods.
The Schalke Incident That Sparked Years of Hostility
Werner identified a specific incident that he believes triggered the sustained animosity from German fans. “In Germany, I went through a lot because I once made a dive. After that, they were on my back for years,” he explained. The event in question occurred in December 2016, during his time with RB Leipzig in a match against Schalke 04. Werner attempted to win a penalty by going down, an act that solidified his reputation as a controversial figure among opposition supporters.
The incident led to the creation of insulting chants and regular booing from opposing fans. Werner’s actions in that game, where he was awarded a penalty and scored from the spot, became a defining moment in his public perception in Germany for years to come. Werner was a regular target for opposing fans after his move from VfB Stuttgart to RB Leipzig in 2016, with the Schalke incident amplifying his status as a polarizing player.
Abuse Continued in England and Beyond
The pressure wasn’t limited to Germany. Werner revealed that he faced similar challenges during his time at Chelsea. “It was similar at Chelsea. I missed a few chances there, and after that, they had it in for me,” he said. This continued pattern of criticism followed him across Europe, despite his professional success.
His move to Chelsea in 2020 for 53 million Euro marked a career high, culminating in a Champions League victory in 2021. However, the public scrutiny remained. “I’ve gone through all these heavy moments to eventually have better experiences,” Werner reflected on his resilience. His career peak in terms of market value came in March 2020 when he was valued at 80 million Euro, one of the highest ever for a German player.
A Career Marked by Highs and Public Scrutiny
Werner’s career has been a journey of significant highs and challenging lows. He began at Stuttgart, where he played 95 Bundesliga games and had 23 goal involvements before joining Leipzig. His most productive season was 2019/20, where he scored 28 goals and provided eight assists in 34 league appearances for Leipzig, a performance that paved the way for his transfer to Chelsea.
After returning to Leipzig in 2022, his role diminished, leading to a loan spell at Tottenham in 2025, where he won the Europa League. However, he found himself out of favor upon his return to Leipzig. He moved to the San Jose Earthquakes, where he has since contributed six goals and seven assists in 22 appearances. The team currently sits third in the Western Conference and has qualified for the MLS playoffs.
Werner’s Reflection on Resilience
Despite the abuse, Werner expressed pride in his ability to persevere. “I never threw in the towel. I always went back onto the pitch, even though I knew that 60,000 or 70,000 people would boo me,” he said. His determination to overcome public criticism is now a significant source of personal pride, as Werner cited his ability to withstand difficult phases as something he is particularly proud of, separate from his trophies and goals.
Werner’s story highlights the intense pressure that comes with being a high-profile athlete in the public eye. His candid admission of struggling with mental health challenges due to fan abuse offers a rare glimpse into the personal cost of professional sports, even for one of its most successful figures. His move to the MLS represents a new chapter, one where he can focus on his game away from the relentless scrutiny that defined much of his European career.
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