According to Spox, Kleindinst has finally returned to action after being sidelined for 14 months due to injury.
The Borussia Mönchengladbach captain, who had been sidelined for an extended period due to a serious injury, even missing the World Cup, is now eager to return to the pitch.
Kleindinst immediately got back into the game. The Borussia Mönchengladbach captain had been waiting for a starting opportunity for 14 months, and in the recent friendly against Essen (2-1), he almost provided an assist to give his team the lead—unfortunately, the referee ruled him offside. "I was a couple of points short of stamina and couldn't get back in time," the 30-year-old striker said.
But more importantly: Kleindinst is finally back. In May 2025, he suffered a serious knee injury. Although he was appointed captain shortly afterward, he never led the team onto the pitch again. Two surgeries and repeated injuries meant he only got three brief substitute appearances. On Saturday in Essen, he finally stepped onto the pitch as the starting center forward.
“It feels great to be back in the game. The intensity of the game is something you can’t simulate in training,” Kleindinst said. Although he was substituted in the 32nd minute, it wasn’t a cause for concern: “I could have played longer, but it was all pre-arranged.”
Until recently, Kleindinst was even hoping to participate in the World Cup, and his performance of scoring 4 goals in 6 appearances for Germany was convincing. Before his injury, he maintained a similar goal-scoring efficiency for Borussia Mönchengladbach, scoring 16 goals in 31 league appearances in the 2024-25 season alone. "Kleindinst is our Harry Kane. In the dressing room, on the pitch, and for the fans, in every way," sporting director Ruben Schröder once said.
Despite a brief appearance in the final game of last season, he missed the World Cup. However, this allowed Kleindinst not only to advance his personal brand "Smallservice," but more importantly, to fully prepare for his comeback. "He trained extra hard throughout the summer break and returned with very strong confidence. He's very eager to get back into the game," Schröder said. Sometimes, it even takes putting the brakes on this somewhat impatient striker.
Because Kleindinst is eager to play. "I need playing time to build up my fitness," he said after the match against Essen. He plans to play more in the friendly against Hansa Rostock this Saturday. The first-round German Cup match against Mainz-Schott on August 23 will be his first real test. "The plan is to stay on the pitch for as long as possible," Kleindinst said.
The veteran has plenty of time, having extended his contract with Borussia Mönchengladbach until 2029 during his injury recovery. "After such a long break, the focus isn't on getting back on the pitch as quickly as possible," Schröder said, "but on maintaining a high level over the long term, just like he always has."
