Untouchable

A banner in 1.FC Nuremberg's Frankenstadion reads 'Unantastbar' (untouchable). It is accompanied by an image of Slovakian footballer Marek Mintal. On Saturday, after eight years at 1.FCN the skillful goalscorer played his last game in Nuremberg.

His time at Der Club has been documented extensively elsewhere - his goals, his injuries and his Fussballgott (football god) status in Franconia. Had anybody in the Frankenstadion on Saturday never heard of Mintal before the game, after a couple of hours in the stadium, it will be a name they are unlikely to forget. Nevermind that Mintal only came on as substitute for the final 26 minutes, nevermind the fact that he did not score, or that of late he has only played a minor role for 1.FCN. And no need to worry about the fact that his team were defeated 2-1 by Hoffenheim in the final home game of the season. Nothing else seemed to matter because this was Marek Mintal's day.

From the time the stands started to fill with the red and black of the fans, Mintal's name was chanted almost constantly. It continued after the final whistle as the team lapped the pitch receiving their deserved applause after an excellent season. The players then approached, as is the custom after every game, the terraces of the Ultras and the die-hard Clubberer. They stopped and allowed the hero, the living Nuremberg legend, to make the last few steps to the corner of the pitch alone. His name reverberated even louder, the player applauded his adoring public and his tears started to flow. The crowd reciprocated with tears of their own, and on and on it went.

Mintal was eventually handed a microphone. He addressed the crowd. More applause, more chanting of his name, more tears. He led the fans in the singing of the club anthem. The noise intensified and eventually, after some 30 minutes or so, Marek Mintal walked towards the Frankenstadion tunnel for a final time. An incredible era was ending, and as his name still rang out as he disappeared from the pitch, the farewell could not have been more fitting.

For a player who has a status which is Unantastbar it is just what he deserved. 1.FCN and the Bundesliga will be poorer for his departure. Fortunately, the memories of Marek Mintal and the send-off given by the fans will last for a long, long time.