Unique to world-class: We don't want to lose this fun forward | OneFootball

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Some players you never forget. Not because they've won the biggest trophies or broken records – but because they belong to the often-quoted "real characters." With edges, quirks, and a touch of charm.

One of them is Anthony Modeste. And the closer the Frenchman gets to the end of his career, the clearer it becomes: The Bundesliga was lucky to admire such a player for a decade.

📸 Lars Baron - 2022 Getty Images

Modeste also played in Germany for Hoffenheim and Dortmund, but his heart beat especially for 1. FC Köln. And Köln loved him back. Who doesn't remember his legendary goal celebration with the coffee cup? There he stood in the RheinEnergieStadion, taking an imaginary sip of coffee – and all of Köln was more awake than after a full thermos on the go.

The celebration actually had a real backstory: Modeste had privately acquired a coffee machine. And later made it his own trademark.

Pretty Good Friends

A trademark that not everyone involved liked 100 percent. Steffen Baumgart once even gave his protégé a clear reprimand. "That's always thin ice," he said on 'Sky': "You mustn't overdo it, otherwise you'll usually get – to put it bluntly – a smack in the face at some point."

Otherwise, the relationship between Baumgart and Modeste resembled a true love affair. Under the extroverted coach, the goal-getter experienced his second career spring. In 2022, he sensationally shot the Effzeh, considered relegation candidates, into the UEFA Conference League with 20 goals and four assists.

The 1.88-meter giant was simply one of the best headers on the planet at that time. Did Modeste become a world-class striker in his later years? Probably not. But in any case, he was world-class in his role.

And not everything always went smoothly before. The move to China, contract confusion, sporting stalemates – many would have long lost interest. But not "Tony." He came back, kept scoring, and was celebrated in Müngersdorf as if he had never been away. You don't see stories like that often anymore!

An Adventure in Southern Spain

Meanwhile, the 37-year-old is winding down his career in southeastern Spain. Modeste moved to the third-division club CF Intercity in February 2025. His mission: to save the struggling underdog from relegation. But just a few matchdays before the end of the season, the club from Alicante is languishing at the bottom of the table.

The striker's contract already expires in the summer, and currently, little suggests an extension. Only in the event of promotion would the contract have been extended by another year. Therefore, a career end is currently considered a likely scenario.

However, those who know the cheerful Modeste know: The ex-Köln player is rarely too shy for an adventure. So it's not out of the question that the veteran might try something exotic once more.

Perhaps. Because, of course, at some point, it's the end for everyone. But if Modeste really does say goodbye soon, we fans lose much more than just a goal scorer. We lose a cheerful soul. Someone who loved the game – and was loved back by the game. The best evidence: The 2017 Ballermann hit that celebrated Modeste with every verse.

Maybe we'll see him on the sidelines someday. Although, probably not. But maybe he'll open his own coffee shop. Or maybe he'll just chill with sunglasses in southern France and watch Köln games via livestream. Whatever he ends up doing – just thinking about the end of his career already brings nostalgic heartache.

📸 Martin Rose - 2022 Getty Images