Football stands still as Kevin Kampl walks away from RB Leipzig after family tragedy

A sudden and deeply personal decision

The European football community was taken by surprise on Monday when news emerged that Kevin Kampl had chosen to end his contract with RB Leipzig in the wake of a family tragedy.

According to Transfer News Live, citing reporting from DeadlineDayLive, the Slovenia international made the decision following the death of his brother, a loss that prompted him to step away from football with immediate effect.

Kampl, one of the Bundesliga club’s most experienced midfielders, has been with Leipzig since joining from Bayer Leverkusen in 2017 and has been a regular presence in both domestic and European competitions.

Kampl explains his choice

In a personal message shared publicly, Kampl made clear that his focus has shifted entirely away from the game for the foreseeable future.

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“I will now fully focus on my family. I’m not completely ruling out a return to the pitch one day, even though it feels totally unrealistic at the moment, and I want to spend much more time with my loved ones.”

The statement underscored the emotional weight behind the decision, with no indication of when or if a return to professional football might take place.

Reaction from across the football community

Messages of support quickly spread across social media following the announcement. Fellow players, supporters and clubs from across Europe shared words of sympathy, acknowledging the human cost that can sit behind life at the highest level of the sport.

Neither RB Leipzig nor Kampl provided further comment beyond the statement, and no additional details were released regarding the contractual situation.

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Football pauses for the human moment

The news served as a reminder that even at the elite level, personal loss can outweigh sporting ambition. Kampl’s decision was widely viewed as a compassionate and understandable response to grief, with many voices across the game emphasizing that football comes second in moments of profound personal tragedy.

Sources: Transfer News Live, DeadlineDayLive

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