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It could have been an ideal parting gift.
In the 89th minute, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar came on as a substitute for Twente Enschede - then the 37-year-old striker did what he had done most of the last 20 years: he shot the ball into the goal.
He even met twice on Thursday evening.
With a double in stoppage time, the "Hunter", as the striker is called, helped Ajax Amsterdam to a 3-1 (0-1) victory.
There is some evidence that these could have been his last two goals for the Eredivisie leaders.
At least that's what he admits.
"I do not know that.
That's something I have to think about, ”said the ex-international afterwards.
In an interview with the Dutch television station NOS, he gave an insight into his emotional life, which is currently somewhat diffuse.
On the one hand, he had already decided to end his career at Ajax - had it not been for an unexpected offer from another club, which is also of great emotional importance to him.
FC Schalke 04 want to bring him back.
It still has it all: on Thursday evening, the goals of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar Ajax Amsterdam brought victory at Twente Enschede
Source: pa / BEAUTIFUL SPO / BEAUTIFUL SPORTS / Orangepictures
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“That is of course a question of feeling.
It's like you have to choose between two children, ”he explained and announced that he wanted to go to the exam.
Schalke, who are still looking for a striker despite the three goals Matthew Hoppe had last scored in the 4-0 win over Hoffenheim, absolutely want him.
A schnitzel was named after Huntelaar on Schalke
Huntelaar would be someone for the second-bottom of the Bundesliga table who raises hopes because of his still sonorous name.
In 240 competitive games he scored 126 goals for Schalke - albeit at a time when the club was doing better economically and the team had significantly better quality.
And of course he was much younger himself.
In the summer of 2010, Huntelaar, then 27, moved to Gelsenkirchen.
He came from AC Milan, where club owner Silvio Berlusconi really wanted Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Felix Magath, at that time at Schalke manager and trainer in personal union, managed to sign the Dutchman - and Huntelaar got off to a flying start.
In 2011 he won the DFB Cup with Schalke and advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and in the 2011/12 season he was the top scorer in the Bundesliga.
The fans were excited, the Jägerschnitzel in “Charly's Schalker”, the pub on the club's premises, was renamed “Schnitzel Hunter”.
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Huntelaar felt comfortable at Schalke.
Because after years of traveling - before his station in Milan he played for Real Madrid - he enjoyed being able to live close to home.
He lived in the small town of Angerlo, not far from the German border.
From here he drove the 103 kilometers to training every day.
He stayed at Schalke for seven years.
It wasn't until 2017 that he left.
His contract expired and his salary no longer fit into the Schalke budget.
Now he should return, probably on loan, and help prevent relegation.
"It's not yet fixed, but there is mutual interest," said Schalke coach Christian Gross.
The Swiss sees Huntelaar as a reinforcement despite his age.
“If a player with that experience, aura and personality would come back to us again, it would be fantastic.
The keyword is identification with the club, with the past and the knowledge that Schalke have to stay in the Bundesliga, ”he said on Friday.
A decision by Huntelaar can be expected this weekend.
It is not easy for him.
Because even if he hadn't played the big role at Ajax recently, he sees the prospect of "celebrating another championship" in Amsterdam.
They also appreciate the experience at Ajax Huntelaar.
"I'll fight for him," said coach Erik ten Hag.
He will "sleep on it for one night," said Huntelaar.
It is quite possible that the old Schalke Guard reactivated not only through him.
According to information from "Bild", Schalke also asked about the possibilities of a return of the former defensive player Rafinha.
The 35-year-old Brazilian fits the profile perfectly: Schalke is looking for a right-back with leadership qualities.
Rafinha had an exit clause built into his contract with Olympiacos Piraeus (running in 2022): he can leave for free in the summer and winter transfer window.
According to information from "Bild", Rafinha is said to have a great desire to return to his heart club - although there are other inquiries from Germany.
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