Vonn, Tyson and Hirscher are back We really wish these sports stars would make a comeback

Comebacks have recently become fashionable in the sports world. Various athletes have returned after years of absence. We reveal which sports stars we would also like to see in action again.

It's the year of comebacks. In skiing, two stars of the scene, Marcel Hirscher and Lucas Braathen, are returning and Lindsey Vonn is also planning her return to the World Cup slopes at the age of 40 with an artificial knee. Now Bernhard Russi even wanted to persuade Beat Feuz to get back on his skis.

Next sensational return?Russi wants to persuade Feuz to make a comeback - the reaction follows promptly

But comebacks are not only happening in the snow. Football goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny returned from retirement to score for FC Barcelona and boxer Mike Tyson had himself beaten up by Youtuber Jake Paul for tens of millions of euros at the age of 58. Even Stefan Raab returned to the ring against Regina Halmich in 2024.

We took the many comebacks as an opportunity to ask the editorial team: Which sports star would you really like to see make a comeback?

Vreni Schneider, Ski

"Whether she sings or just overloads the audio recorders when answering questions doesn't matter. The main thing is that she delivers skiing wisdom in Glarus again."

Pirmin Zurbriggen, Ski

"Comebacks in the ski circus are currently en vogue. Marcel Hirscher is back on the slopes after 5 years and Lindsey Vonn will soon be testing her artificial knee joint in the World Cup. So a comeback for the nation's most famous "knee of all time" is an obvious choice. And to be honest: Pirmin retired from skiing at the age of 27, he has protected his joints so much that with his talent, with two or three training sessions, a good Kästle ski and the help of the good Lord, he would be on a par with Odi after three training sessions. At least."

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Werner Günthör, athletics

"Muscle man, two meters tall - made the shot put a really big sport in the 80s and early 90s. Three-time world champion, bronze at the 1988 Olympic Games. He was also incredibly polyathletic, jumping over 2.02 meters. Since Günthör has been taking it easy, shot put has hardly received any media attention. Time for the now 63-year-old to throw a shot again."

Simone Niggli, orienteering

"She had a sense of direction like no other. The Bernese ran away from her competitors - in the forest and in urban terrain - and snatched victory after victory. She stood at the top of the podium at the world championships no fewer than 23 times. Niggli was instrumental in orienteering becoming a respected sport in Switzerland."

Valentino Rossi, motorcycle

"The Italian was not only incredibly successful (9 world championship titles, 115 victories, 235 podiums), but also a joker and entertainer. Rossi will also be 46 years old in February 2025. And, as we all know, 46 was his iconic starting number, which has not been assigned since his retirement"

Thiago Alcántara, football

"Arguably one of the best technicians of all time. The way he combined these strengths with his overview of the game was a delight. The fact that Bayern won the treble in 2020 was mainly down to him, but unfortunately very few people are aware of that. Another 90 minutes with Thiago? Yes, please!"

Anita Weyermann, athletics

Goran Ivanisevic, tennis

"This unpredictable nature and his unique charisma on the court is something this sport is missing at the moment. Every match he played was pure drama, and that's what's missing in the tennis world at the moment, which has almost become a bit boring in recent years."

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, football

"Despite his arrogant and self-absorbed demeanor, he was always a fan favorite - and not just among his club's supporters. A real character, of which there are unfortunately fewer and fewer in today's football. Ibra recently showed that he still has it in him:"

Michael Phelps, swimming

"In the summer of 2024, he was voted Athlete of the Century by ESPN. It would be exciting to see how the now 39-year-old does in the pool today. He is unlikely to have much to do in his showpiece discipline, the 400-metre medley - possibly the toughest race in swimming. This is where his last world record fell last summer at the Games in Paris. But perhaps he could still complete the 100-metre butterfly in a decent time."

Usain Bolt, athletics

"Usain Bolt can still call the fabulous world records over 100 meters (9.58 seconds) and 200 meters (19.19 seconds) his own. What would he have to set against Noah Lyles and Co. A show sprint would certainly be a spectacle, but the drop would be huge. Incidentally, the "senior world record" for 40-year-olds is held by Kim Collins with an incredible 9.93 seconds. That could be within the realms of possibility - but depending on your lifestyle and fitness level, it could also be a utopia."

Tom Brady, Football

"The NFL doesn't have a passer like that anymore, modern quarterbacks have their strengths in their own "running game", something Brady never really had. The magic that Brady exuded is unfortunately gone. He has subordinated everything to the sport, he even put up with divorcing Giselle Bündchen for the chance of another Super Bowl, who does that? Only someone who loves his sport above all else and, after all, it's the romance of sport that counts here."

Ronaldinho, football

"The now 44-year-old Brazilian was much more than "just" one of the world's best footballers - Ronaldinho was an artist. With his broad, permanent grin on his face, he also embodied the pure joy of the game. He will no longer shine on the big stage, but for players of his ilk, there is a catch basin: FC Sion. Apparently he almost ended up there once before, now it's time for this amazing transfer to work out after all."

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