TV reporter
“Then a new life begins”: Réthy acknowledged in farewell
Sports commentator Béla Réthy before the game. photo
© Robert Michael/dpa
Many companions paid tribute to Béla Réthy at the end of her career as a reporter. In football, the 66-year-old is still fascinated by a certain topic – but the focus is initially on other things.
After all the appreciation for an extraordinary TV career, Béla Réthy had to take a breather. In the ZDF studio, the audience, animated by Per Mertesacker, voted “There is only one Béla Réthy!” a little later, the 66-year-old finally put down the live microphone.
“I have to let that sink in first,” said Réthy of the German Press Agency in the stands of the Al-Bait Stadium at the World Cup in Qatar. “Now Christmas is coming, then January, and then we’ll see. Then you’ll definitely notice the Saturdays, because then you suddenly don’t have to go to the Bundesliga anymore. Then a new life begins.”
After more than 380 live broadcasts, the TV reporter retired. The commentator made his last appearance for ZDF in France’s 2-0 win over Morocco in the World Cup semifinals.
Réthy initially wants to enjoy “the lack of appointments”.
“I do love Béla Réthy a bit,” said Christoph Kramer. “I grew up with him, I associate very, very big events with this voice. Thank you so much for so many goosebumps.” Former world champion Mertesacker recalled the joint comment at the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at the end of May this year. “Those were great times. You took everyone with you in all modesty. I had no plan to comment at all. You picked me up and dragged me through,” said Mertesacker.
For Réthy, other things than football are now in the foreground. “I want to spend more time with a grandson and watch him grow up,” he said previously. After a breather, the journalist can imagine going back to work. “Something media-like is possible,” said the reporter, who worked for ZDF at ten World Cups.
The journalist, who grew up in Brazil, finds a report about the Copa Sudamericana appealing. The South American football competition for club teams is “often underestimated here in Germany,” said Réthy, adding that he wanted to “enjoy the lack of appointments” first.
Réthy has worked for ZDF at all World Cups since 1986 and as a live reporter at all major tournaments since 1994.