Kevin-Prince Boateng was inconsolable after Hertha Berlin’s heartbreaking 1–1 draw with VfL Bochum on Saturday as his childhood team was dropped from the Bundesliga.
The Ghanaian attacker, who will hang up his boots at the conclusion of the current season, had intended to keep Berlin in the top tier.
But when they failed to secure the critical victory that would have sealed their fate and promoted them to the Bundesliga, their chances were destroyed.
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 realize it yet. It is just bitter, I love this club. I came here and I knew that not everything would be rosy. The fans are angry, disappointed, and sad, and that is completely normal. I can understand them, I am a Hertha fan myself.”
Boateng, who has a special connection to Hertha Berlin due to his upbringing, will get one more opportunity to play for the squad the following week when they take on Wolfsburg in the season finale.
Boateng spent 20 years playing for clubs abroad, including Portsmouth, AC Milan, and Barcelona, before rejoining the group in 2021, but his time with Hertha Berlin has come to an end.
Boateng signed a one-year deal with recently promoted Serie B team Monza that includes a one-year extension option on September 28, 2020. In a 1-2 home loss to Chievo on October 24, 2020, he converted a penalty to score his first goal.
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.