Silvan Wallner, 22, former FC Zurich player and Swiss U21 international, has announced the end of his professional football career for religious reasons. This sudden decision has surprised the Swiss football world.
Observance of the Sabbath, a choice of faith
According to the statement published on the FC Blau-Weiss* website, Silvan Wallner observes the Sabbath, a day of rest and communion with God, from Friday evening to Saturday evening. This religious precept prevents him from playing matches and training on Saturdays, which is incompatible with a career as a professional footballer. "I want to follow Jesus Christ, and the biblical day of rest has become important to me," the young Zurich player said on the Linz club's website. "For me, as a professional, this means that I no longer want to play football for a living on Saturdays.”
A promising career cut short
Silvan Wallner began his career at FC Zurich, where he won the Swiss championship in 2022. He then joined the Austrian club Blau-Weiss Linz in September 2024, where he was a regular. His contract, initially scheduled to run until 2026, was terminated by mutual agreement with the club. Despite a promising career and a final selection for the U21 national team in September, Silvan Wallner chose to follow his faith.
A case reminiscent of that of Johan Vonlanthen
This case is reminiscent of that of Johan Vonlanthen, a former Swiss international, who had included in his contract in Colombia, in 2011, the possibility of not playing on Saturdays for similar religious reasons. Silvan Wallner's choice highlights the importance of religious beliefs in life decisions, even for top athletes.
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*Article amended to correct an error attributing to Silvan Wallner a membership in the Adventist Church, which he denied in the press release published on the club's website.
