Werder legend Diego has successfully left his football career behind and is now active as a triathlete. The 41-year-old completed his first half-distance Ironman in Rio de Janeiro in August 2025, covering 1.9km of swimming, 90km of cycling and a half marathon.
Diego, who officially bid farewell to the fans at the Weserstadion in March 2025, remains closely connected to the club. "I started doing triathlon, half distance, Ironman," said the former playmaker. "The guys said to me: 'Are you crazy or what?' But it made me fit." His former teammates were clearly surprised by his new passion.
The Brazilian keeps up with current events at Werder Bremen mainly through his 15-year-old son Daví. He regularly reports on the games and results. "I can't watch every game, but Werder is part of my history," Diego said. He feels he must return to the Weserstadion once or twice a year to feel the special atmosphere, which he says is good for his heart and mind. A return to professional football is not currently planned, but he is always available for Werder legends events if invited.
His last major appearance in the green and white shirt was the legends match for the 100th birthday of the Weserstadion against Real Madrid. Diego scored the goal to make it 4-2 and was substituted after 81 minutes to a standing ovation. The match ended in a 4-3 win for Werder.
Today, Diego occasionally works as a speaker, giving talks internationally on leadership qualities. His athletic foundation remains triathlon and marathon running. While he enjoys his life after his playing career, his former team is fighting for points in the Bundesliga. Werder Bremen currently sits in 8th place in the table with seven points from four games. The record shows two wins, one draw and one defeat. The last five matches yielded three wins, one draw and one loss. The next tough away game takes the team to league leaders Borussia Dortmund on October 9th.
This story first appeared at Bild Sport
