Sven and Lars Bender have announced that the 20/21 campaign will be the last of their career and that the brothers will retire when the season draws to its conclusion. The continued injuries sustained by the brothers is the reason behind their decision.

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the news, maintaining that the two brothers refused to agree new deals owing to their decision to discontinue playing the sport professionally beyond June of 2021.

“Everyone who knows us knows that we give 100% every day,” the pair said in a joint statement.

“That was always the basic requirement for us. Unfortunately, it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to continuously access this with all the pain and physical problems from which we are suffering more and more.”

“There are few players in the Bundesliga like Lars and Sven,” said Leverkusen director Rudi Völler.

“They represent football class, extreme professionalism and absolute reliability plus determination and commitment.”

Apart from representing Leverkusen, the brothers have had the opportunity to represent the German National Team as well.

The twins, both 31 have had pretty different paths to reach this point in their careers. While Sven was part of Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund team that won the league title in consecutive seasons 10/11 and 11/12, Lars has been at Bayer Leverkusen for over a decade.