Who Is Waldemar Anton? A Beginner’s Guide to Germany’s Soccer Defender

Meet Waldemar Anton

Imagine a soccer player who was born in one country, grew up in another, and now plays for one of the biggest teams in Germany. That’s Waldemar Anton! Let’s learn all about him.

Here are the basic facts about him:

• Full Name: Waldemar Anton
• Date of Birth: July 20, 1996
• Place of Birth: Olmaliq, Uzbekistan
• Nationality: German
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer
• Job: Professional Soccer Player
• Position: Defender (he stops the other team from scoring)
• Current Team: Borussia Dortmund

From Uzbekistan to Germany: His Amazing Story

Born Far From Germany

Waldemar Anton was born on July 20, 1996, in a city called Olmaliq in Uzbekistan. Here’s a fun fact: his first name was actually Wladimir when he was born! His grandparents speak Uzbek, his parents speak Russian, and Waldemar can speak Russian too.

When he was just two years old, his family moved to Germany. That’s where he grew up and fell in love with soccer.

His Soccer Journey

Waldemar started playing soccer as a kid for a small local club called Mühlenberger SV. Then, in 2008, he joined the youth team of Hannover 96, a big German soccer club.

He worked really hard and eventually played over 100 games for Hannover 96 in both the first and second German leagues. After that, he moved to VfB Stuttgart in 2020, where he became the team captain in 2023. In the summer of 2024, he made a big move to Borussia Dortmund, one of the most famous clubs in Germany!

Playing for Germany’s National Team

Here’s something really cool: even though Waldemar played soccer professionally for many years, he didn’t get called up to play for Germany’s senior national team until March 2024, when he was 27 years old. That’s pretty late compared to many other players!

But once he got his chance, he made the most of it. He was selected to play in the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament and will also be part of Germany’s squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

He also played 11 times for Germany’s U21 (under-21) team and was part of the squad that won the European Championship in 2017 in Poland.

Why He Didn’t Play for Uzbekistan

Even though Waldemar was born in Uzbekistan, he never played for their national team. He explained in an interview that while there was some contact with Uzbekistan’s soccer federation, it didn’t work out because his family no longer lives there — his grandparents moved to Russia. He said, "I don’t have anyone in Uzbekistan anymore, so it wasn’t an option."

A Fighter On and Off the Field

Waldemar Anton describes himself as someone who always gives 100%, no matter how tired or hurt he is. He says, "I’m someone who always wants to push hard, whether it’s exhausting or not, or whether I have small injuries."

His parents — a bus driver and a cook — taught him an important lesson: "You can achieve anything if you have a dream or a goal and you chase it."

Waldemar was so grateful to his parents that he wanted to help them retire early and take care of them. But his mom and dad politely said no — they wanted to keep working!

He Almost Became a Karate Kid!

Here’s a surprising fact: Waldemar didn’t always want to be a soccer player. As a kid, he was really into karate! He was inspired by movies starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, the famous action movie star.

So why didn’t he stick with karate? He says the push-ups and pull-ups in training scared him away! Can you believe that? The exercises were tougher than the kicks and punches!

Family Comes First

When he’s not playing soccer, Waldemar’s favorite thing in the world is spending time with his family. He is happily married to his wife, Jenni, and they have two children together.

He has shared sweet photos with his wife on Instagram and says that "spending time with my family, especially doing wild things with my kids, is a huge source of support for me."

Important Point: Waldemar Anton’s story shows that success doesn’t always come quickly. He waited until age 27 to play for Germany’s senior national team, but his hard work and determination finally paid off!

Summary

Waldemar Anton is a German professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Borussia Dortmund and the German national team. Born in Uzbekistan, he moved to Germany at age two and worked his way up from small local clubs to the biggest stages in soccer. He’s known for his fighting spirit, his love for his family, and the fact that he almost became a karate champion instead of a soccer star!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Where was Waldemar Anton born?
He was born in Olmaliq, Uzbekistan, on July 20, 1996. His original first name was Wladimir.

2. What position does Waldemar Anton play?
He plays as a defender, which means his main job is to stop the opposing team from scoring goals.

3. Which team does Waldemar Anton currently play for?
As of summer 2024, he plays for Borussia Dortmund, one of the most popular soccer clubs in Germany.

4. When did Waldemar Anton first play for Germany’s senior national team?
He was first called up in March 2024 at the age of 27, and was later selected for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.

5. Does Waldemar Anton have a family?
Yes! He is married to his wife Jenni, and they have two children together. Family is the most important thing in his life outside of soccer.