New Stage. Same Passion. - Moritz Leitner

In sports, there are those who are willing to put in grueling extra work, especially when no one is watching and the cameras are off. In American sports, people often talk about being “ready to go the extra mile.” Talking with Moritz Leitner—known to everyone as Mo—you quickly realize that he’s always ready to do just that, no matter where he is. The central midfielder played professional soccer at the highest level for years and has now found his new passion in Baller and the Kings League. During our conversation, he talked about how he’s adapted, the differences between small-field soccer and its “big brother,” professional soccer, and the major event he’s currently preparing for intensively. And then there’s his addiction to a special source of recovery—one he can no longer do without.

Experience on the Big Soccer Stage

It quickly becomes clear that there has never really been an end to Mo’s career. The transition from one athletic career to the next was seamless for him; his love for soccer has remained strong even after his active professional days. The central midfielder played in the Bundesliga for years, winning the league title and the cup with Borussia Dortmund under Jürgen Klopp during the 2011–2012 season. Internationally, the Munich native gained experience in Italy (Lazio Rome), became the English second-division champion with Norwich City, and won the Swiss championship with FC Zurich. After that, Mo’s hunger for titles didn’t diminish.

This Is the Baller League

In the first season of the Baller League, a newly founded small-field soccer format, Mo demonstrated his exceptional talent. He has discovered a new stage for his great passion. Soccer is back, the field is smaller, there are 6 players per team instead of 11, and the rules have changed as well. “The Baller League was a completely new project, and at first I had to adjust to it and gain some experience. You can’t compare it to professional soccer on a full-size field. But of course you want to do well in these events—no matter where I play, I’m determined to win, whether it’s on a small field or at the professional level. It’s only fun when you win,” says Mo.

In early 2024, several soccer personalities—including Mats Hummels and Lukas Podolski—will launch a new soccer format in collaboration with streamers and artists, one that differs significantly from traditional soccer. Games are played indoors on a small field; inspired by Spain’s Kings League, there are different rules designed to provide more entertainment value. The courage to launch a new soccer project is paying off. Viewership is booming in the first season.

“I really like that you can be more authentic—that’s a big difference from professional soccer.”

Street Soccer Mentality

The changes from traditional soccer create many exciting situations during the game, such as when a “game-changer” is activated for a short time, preventing the attacking team from retreating to their own half once they’ve entered the opponent’s half. Instead of a penalty kick, there are “penaltys” where a player runs one-on-one toward the goalkeeper. The offside rule can also be quickly suspended. It’s the many small—and above all, intense—one-on-one battles that make the game special for Mo and that benefit him with his playing style. “I prepared for this with special training sessions and adjusted my game,” he says. Here, the qualities learned from street soccer—which children and teenagers also pick up on the pickup field—such as courage, passion, and assertiveness, are especially in demand.

Short-Pass Master Becomes Top Scorer

Anyone who’s followed the Baller League can’t help but notice Mo. Not only did he become the top scorer, but he also lifted the trophy for the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Ultimately, after a strong season with his team, Mo wasn’t defeated until the Final Four. The midfield strategist can perfectly showcase his skills on the smaller field; in addition to his goal-scoring ability, he has an eye for unmarked teammates and can react to new game situations in a split second. “It’s generally a little easier to score goals on a small field than on a larger soccer field. You get more shots on goal. But I’ve always enjoyed scoring goals! (Laughs).”

New Challenge in the Kings League

From January 1–10 this year, Mo competed with Team Germany in the Kings World Cup Nations. The Kings League is also a newly established small-field soccer format with a distinct event-like character. In Milan, 16 nations faced off in a knockout stage, vying for a spot in the final. Mo was also there as a key player and a major motivator for the German team, but they were defeated by Mexico in the third round. Media interest in the event was enormous, with a total viewership of 100 million. A huge success for this up-and-coming sport.

Kings League Germany

Following the World Cup came the official launch of the Kings League in Germany, where Mo, as a former professional soccer player, is proving his class on the field—both as a playmaker and as a reliable goal-scorer for his team, ERA Colonia. His team has successfully qualified for the final round—the World Cup of Clubs—in Paris and is aiming to lift the trophy there.

Recovery and Routines

To meet his athletic challenges, Mo also invests a lot of time in his healthy lifestyle outside of soccer. His dedication to maintaining a very high level of fitness and health is impressive. He sees his daily routines as part of the secret to his success. He relies primarily on daily fitness training and ice baths. He’s often already in the 5-degree water by 6 a.m., after completing a cycling session. “It’s part of my routine to start and end my day in the ice tub. After strenuous workouts, I also take an ice bath.”

“Right now, I’m in the ice tub 2–3 times a day.”

For Mo, the ice bath has an extremely positive effect on his body every time, and he feels a real boost afterward. His legs feel nice and refreshed, and his mobility improves as a result. “I’ve actually become a bit dependent on it by now, and I notice right away if I haven’t been in the ice bath for a few days. I immediately miss that great feeling afterward!”

Self-Optimization

He also uses the BLACKROLL LOOP bands during his daily training. After a strenuous workout, he uses the COMPRESSION BOOTS as a recovery tool.

His passion for competitive sports is impressive; for Mo, there are virtually no days off. And when he does take a break, he heads out into nature with his family—his way of finding balance amid the hustle and bustle and media attention.

His self-confidence plays a major role in helping him feel mentally at ease on the field. “If you have self-confidence, believe in yourself, know what you’re capable of, and are able to put that into practice, you’re in a very good place mentally. On top of that, thanks to my excellent fitness level, I want to go into a game injury- and pain-free, which means I always know I’ve prepared well. A good, balanced, and nutrient-rich diet and restful sleep are also important parts of that for me.”

With the help of the RECOVERY BASE and the RECOVERY BLANKET, he always wakes up refreshed in the morning and has renewed energy for the day ahead.

One thing is clear: Mo will do everything he can to bring his boundless energy to the field in the future as well—no matter how big the field is or what rules are in play. Mo Leitner has found a new stage for his passion for soccer, while still carrying that “pickup game” mentality with him. If you want to win, you’ll have to get past him first.