Dilara Kruse lays out the advantages and disadvantages of being a spouse to a professional athlete.
In the present, Dilara Kruse can only rejoice as her husband Max Kruse competes in the local leagues. Previously, when Max played for the national team and teams like Werder Bremen, Fenerbahçe Istanbul, or VfL Wolfsburg, she cherished numerous perks. Now, Dilara discusses the pros and cons of being a footballer's spouse.
Back then, Max Kruse himself represented the national team – until Joachim Löw, the national team coach at that time, cut him from the squad due to off-field problems in 2016. Since then, the 36-year-old has found himself in the lower leagues. He previously played for clubs like Werder Bremen, Fenerbahçe Istanbul, and VfL Wolfsburg but now plays only for BSV Al-Dersimspor II, the Berliner Kreisligist.
Having witnessed Max Kruse's highs and lows over the past years is none other than his wife Dilara. They met at a Shisha bar in 2020, and Max proposed to her live on TV during the Olympic Games the following year. They tied the knot shortly after that. At that time, Max was still a star player for the successful Bundesligist, Union Berlin.
And at that time, Dilara thrived due to the privileges that came along. She shares her memories in an interview with "t-online." "I always had great seats for the games, where I could see clearly, and some extras like free food and drinks," the 33-year-old recalls. She also gained access to exclusive VIP areas and meetings with other famous athletes. Of course, she wasn't just there for the amenities – she also cheered her husband on during the games.
"Moving was a hassle"
Being the wife of a footballer isn't all glamorous, Dilara Kruse explains. "The moving was a hassle," she confesses. Life as a professional athlete's spouse also means putting the relationship on hold: "There are times when the players need to focus solely on the game and preparation without distractions."
She dealt with numerous prejudices, Dilara complains. "Many people have a fixed idea of how a footballer's wife should behave," she says. She refuses to be defined by that and instead chooses her own path. For instance, as an Instagram influencer – she already has nearly 100,000 followers on Instagram. In 2023, she even ventured into reality TV, competing on "Promi Big Brother." One day, people might stop calling her a footballer's wife and start referring to Max as an influencer's husband instead.
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Despite Max Kruse's current struggles in the lower leagues, his celebrity status as a former national team player and successful stints with clubs like Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg have made him a popular figure in celebrity couples circles in the entertainment industry. Dilara Kruse shares her experiences of attending soccer matches and enjoying privileges such as exclusive VIP access and free food and drinks, but also mentions the challenges of frequent moves and dealing with societal expectations as a footballer's wife.
