Swiss Midfielder Silvan Wallner Quits Professional Football at 22 for Christian Faith
Swiss midfielder Silvan Wallner has announced his decision to retire from professional football at the age of 22, saying a commitment to his Christian faith and wanting to observe the Sabbath are key reasons behind his choice.
Wallner started with FC Zurich in 2020 and has over 100 career appearances, having played for Swiss club FC Wil and Austria’s BW Linz. He joined BW Linz this September on a two-year contract and has since appeared five times, most recently in the narrow 1-2 defeat to TSV Hartberg in October. In a statement released by BW Linz, Wallner said, “I am a practicing Christian and I read the Bible. I decide myself what I do with my life.” His devout religious beliefs have led him to take time off on Saturdays—the biblical Sabbath, his day of rest.
“As a footballer, this means I no longer wish to play professionally on Saturdays,” he said, adding that his decision stems from a personal conviction arrived at over the past few days.
Wallner thanked all those who have supported him throughout his career. He said: “I say a big thank you to all the people who accompanied and supported me on my sporting journey.” Though still quite young, Wallner has already made a name for himself in Swiss football. His ability was so well recognized that he had even graced the Swiss U21 national team, his last appearance for the team this September in a nail-biting 1-2 against Albania. Wallner’s decision to retire has kindled debate in the sporting world on how faith and personal belief can make big decisions, even regarding such competitive fields as professional sports. His retirement is another sign of the growing influence of personal values and spirituality in sports, where Wallner chose religious conviction over continuing a most promising football career.
