Markus Babbel: "I was dancing on the table with Matthäus"

At the turn of the millennium, Babbel was one of the best defenders in Europe. He won five trophies in one season with Liverpool, and was part of the Bayern side that lost that legendary Champions League final to Manchester United in 1999. Nowadays, he’s a pundit and the host of an English football podcast as well as a DJ, where he channels his love for rock music.

bundesliga.com: Markus, you grew up in the suburbs of Munich in the 70s and 80s, how did you become a fan of metal and hard rock music there?

Babbel: "At home we always had the radio station Bayern 1 on during the day. It had folk music and pop, the whole package. Luckily though, I had a big brother, who introduced me to good music. From him I learnt about Iron Maiden, the Scorpions and Metallica. For me, there was nothing cooler than when my brother would play me his new records."

bundesliga.com: And what did your parents think about it?

Babbel: "For them it was a world that they didn’t understand. Perhaps the music was a form of protest and youthful rebellion. Other than that, we were pretty good boys. In the evenings, I’d listen to the Bayern 3 station religiously because they played all the hits, and I’d sit there with my tape recorder so I could record the biggest hits of the 80s. Then, when I’d go into school with my new mixtape, I felt like a king. The worst thing was when they’d give traffic updates while a new song was playing, all because someone was driving in the wrong direction."

bundesliga.com: These days, people use a streaming service to get all their music, how did you get hold of your favourite tracks?

Babbel: "I remember heading down to the record store with 20 Marks in my pocket and thinking about how to spend my money. Just one single or a whole album? Because of the limited availability of records, you had to get your money’s worth once you’d spent it, I must have played my records hundred of times to make it worthwhile."

bundesliga.com: In 1991 you got your first pro contract from Bayern, but your Bundesliga breakthrough came during your loan spell at Hamburg. How important was music in the dressing room?

Babbel: "One of the biggest stars at Hamburg in my time was Thomas von Heesen, a European champion in 1983. I was able to get him into one of my favourite bands, the Sisters of Mercy. I found it really cool that Thommy was interested in my music.

"Even cooler was in the summer of 1996, on the evening before we flew to England for the Euros in 1996. Because Thomas Häßler knew we had the same taste in music, he asked me if we should find a room somewhere so we could listen to a bit of music. So I sat there with a world champion from 1990... listening to music on full blast. I was in heaven!"

bundesliga.com: In 1999 you were part of that memorable Champions League final loss to Manchester United. Can you remember what song was played before that game in the Camp Nou?

Babbel: "It was ‘Skandal im Sperrbezirk‘ from Spider Murphy Gang, I think."

bundesliga.com: Correct. The Bayern fans had requested it. 

Babbel: "The Neue Deutsche Welle, or German rock, was quite popular back then, and you can see it again today with the renaissance of ‘Major Tom’ at Euro 2024."

bundesliga.com: Within 102 seconds you lost a trophy that you’d surely thought you’d won. One of the most dramatic games in football history, and yet the afterparty was supposed to have been legendary?

Babbel: "It certainly was. I was dancing on the table with Lothar Matthäus and Mario Basler. It was one of the best parties of my career. The song of the night was Lou Bega’s 'Mambo No.5'."

bundesliga.com: For a couple of years now you’ve posted a weekly video on Instagram called ‘Music Friday’, where you suggest songs you like to your followers while wearing old football shirts. From this social media ritual you now seem to have built a bit of a cult following. Where did the idea come from?

Babbel: "I'm actually pretty clueless when it comes to social media, and during the coronavirus pandemic I just wanted to send a video to my friend, Pat. However, instead of sending it to him privately, I posted it for everyone to see.

"This evolved into 'Music Friday', and at some point, I realised that quite a few people were interested in what I was saying. My posts now seem to have some significance in the rock and metal scene because musicians and bands regularly contact me and ask if I could feature them in my videos.

"I think it's great because I’ve learnt how many great bands there are in Germany and how little effort it takes to help these bands become even more well known. I also often receive merchandise and now have an impressive collection of band T-shirts."

bundesliga.com: For some time now you’ve been known as a popular DJ, as well as a football pundit. How did that come about? 

Babbel: "That’s because of my videos. Eventually, I started getting requests and I decided to take the plunge and go for it. That’s the good thing about getting older, you stop caring about making a fool of yourself. Fortunately for me, the crowds have been pretty good so far."

bundesliga.com: What was your biggest crowd?

Babbel: "It was in front of about 800 people at the Weinheimer Kerwe, a summer festival back in my hometown. That was a lot of fun!"

bundesliga.com: What other goals does a multiple Bundesliga champion, two-time UEFA Cup winner and European champion have?

Babbel: "My big dream would be to DJ at Wacken, a German music festival. I've actually been asked once or twice in the past, but I was always on vacation. This year, my calendar is clear, so I'm ready!"

bundesliga.com: Finally, an important question: Your top stadium songs?

Babbel: "'Enter Sandman' by Metallica, 'Sweet Child o' Mine' or 'Paradise City' by Guns N' Roses and lastly, my absolute favourite, 'It's a Long Way to the Top' by AC/DC."

Interview: Alex Raack

Also in Life After Football:

• Uli Borowka: "I will be fighting addiction my whole life"
• Frank Rost: "Working with horses teaches you a lot about yourself"
• Jimmy Hartwig: "My theatre work began totally by coincidence"
• Tobias Rau: "You're not judged on money or status in teaching"
• Richard Golz: "You have to take time to be able to judge a person"