Hans Lindberg holds the all-time scoring record in the German Handball Bundesliga, having amassed over 3,100 goals. He became the only player in the league's history to reach the legendary 3,000-goal milestone.
The Danish winger shattered the previous record in May 2023. Now, the 44-year-old Lindberg has decided to end his career to become sports director at HOJ Elite, who were just relegated in Denmark.
"It's special. Now I've grown accustomed to being called 'old boy,' 'veteran,' and the oldest player over the past 12-13 years. I'm getting rid of that now", Lindberg says with a smile in TV2 TV-programme GO' Morgen Danmark.
"I've known that I would end my career for some time and been fairly clear about it. Basically, I think I've wrung everything I could out of that career. It's not often that you can play until you're 44. It's time to try something different."
"I enjoy being on the handball field, it's been fun, but my body can't do the same things it used to, and I can't put as much effort into it in training. And then there's also something else that pulls me."
Affectionately nicknamed "Hans Majestæt" (His Majesty), the Danish right winger built a 17-year career defined by extreme longevity, deadly precision from the penalty line, and elite scoring consistency at both club and international level.
Hans Lindberg became the first man in the history of handball to score 3,000 goals in the German Bundesliga. He is the second-most capped player in Danish history with 308 matches played, trailing only Lars Christiansen (338).
He racked up 825 total goals for Denmark, putting him 4th on the all-time Danish scoring list.