It was at the end of November 2020 that Simon Kroon received the news that he had suffered from the incurable nerve disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Whether there would be any continuation with football was then uncertain.
But the following season, Kroon played twelve Allsvenskan games for his Östersunds FK, and at the end of the year he signed a new three-year contract.
Facts. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis or MS is a neurological diagnosis that attacks the brain and spinal cord. In Sweden, roughly 20,000 people live with MS. Most are between 20 and 50 years old when they are diagnosed.
Source: Neuroförbundet
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It is the contract that now expires, and the 31-year-old has told us that he will then put his shoes on the shelf.
– You should never say never. But right now I’m not at all interested in playing at any other level at all. I feel finished, he says.
Simon Kroon in a duel with Degerfors cog Sebastian Ohlsson during a match last summer. Photo: Johan Axelsson/Bildbyrån
Simon Kroon has for understandable reasons have not had the same conditions and opportunities as other footballers in recent years. It hasn’t been dangerous for him to play, but it hasn’t been easy either.
– It takes much longer to recover for me than for others, which makes it difficult to push in training all the time, if I am to be able to participate and perform in matches. Actually, it feels like it has become a kind of survival every week to get to the game. If I do too much, I’m completely exhausted when the match starts, he says.
– Then it’s enough for me to catch a small cold or something.
The disease has made the once so cheerful winger become a different player in recent years. Kroon has had to adapt to the current situation, and play more centrally in the lane.
– I don’t run into the surfaces I should run into, can’t run as fast as I should. There are many things like that that are extremely frustrating, when I feel like I should be doing something but can’t – because I’m limited.
Simon Kroon: “Trying to get away all the time to be able to play has been a hard thing, I think. I feel like ‘I should be doing something else here’, but I can’t do it. I have had a very hard time accepting that.” Photo: Mats Andersson/Bildbyrån
At the same time, can you be proud that you persevered, and still played as many matches as you did?
– Well… I probably haven’t really thought about it that way, says Simon Kroon.
– I would say that I am very happy that I gave it a chance, that I signed a three-year contract, gave it a real try and tested it. Otherwise I probably would have regretted it. Now I don’t have to wonder how it could possibly have been.
Simon Kroon retires only 31 years old, but at the same time there is a long career to sum up. He was the winger who broke through at the time when Malmö FF began the tradition of European games that led to the club’s current dominance in Swedish football.
It was Kroon who brought on Markus Rosenberg for the classic decider against Red Bull Salzburg on a late summer evening in 2014. That autumn he also scored a Champions League goal himself against Olympiakos.
Image 1 of 3 Simon Kroon and Markus Rosenberg celebrate the latter’s goal against Red Bull Salzburg in the Champions League qualifying match at the end of August 2014. Photo: Ludvig Thunman/Bildbyrån Image 2 of 3 Atlético Madrid’s Brazilian centre-back Miranda and Simon Kroon during a Champions League match in October 2014. Photo: Joel Marklund/Bildbyrån Image 3 of 3 Simon Kroon is registered for six matches in the Champions League. He has also made another six qualifying matches. Photo: Petter Arvidson/Bildbyrån
He has played against Juventus in Turin, against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu – and had time to turn around in Denmark.
– It feels like maybe it hasn’t really hit me. That I should stop, that it’s over. It is, in a way, your whole identity, that you are a football player. Damn, that’s it, says Simon Kroon.
– Right now, the feeling is probably that I think it’s nice. But I am convinced that it will feel damn tough too. I think that will come a little later.
Simon Kroon (right): “I’ve been lucky to be able to do this for so long, and to be able to pursue my dream really throughout my life. It’s rare, and I’ve been part of a lot. It has been very positive.” Photo: Per Danielsson/TT
Do you have any plans for the future?
– I want to become a golf coach. Apart from football, it is my other passion, which I find very funny. I enjoy teaching. I think I would have been good at that, developing others.
Presumably it is something more gentle on the body?
– Yes, really. I have nothing to stop me there.
But still is Simon Kroons football career not over. Östersunds FK is agonizing over its survival in the super league at the end of this month – matches that are generally associated with a heavy dose of anxiety.
The first match of two against Lund ended with a 2–0 victory. Simon Kroon was substituted with a quarter of an hour left to play. The decision will take place on Sunday in Östersund.
– I had wished that it had already been finished, and that I had been allowed to enter the last match in the super league against Brage and play a few minutes, he says.
– But at the same time it can be a very fun thing, that I can finish in a good way. Then it would have been too damn boring if we end up going down. It had hurt.
Simon Kroon had hoped for a quiet end to the series. Instead, the last match against Brage was dramatic – where a late goal by Östersunds FK gave the chance to qualify. Photo: Johan Axelsson/Bildbyrån
At the same time, it is perhaps something significant for the latter part of Simon Kroon’s football career. It shouldn’t be simple, not even when the last chapter is written.
– Yes, it’s a bit fitting actually, says the 31-year-old.
Facts. Simon Kroon
Born: 16 June 1993 (age 31), in Malmö.
Position: Midfielder.
Club: Östersund FK.
Former clubs: Malmö FF (2011–2016), Sönderjyske (2016–2017 & 2018 on loan) and FC Midtjylland (2017–2018).
Merits: Two SM gold with Malmö FF. Six U21 internationals for Sweden. A goal in six games in the Champions League.
Current: Ending football career after this season.
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Facts. The football qualifiers
Allsvenskan:
November 21: Landskrona BoIS–IFK Värnamo: 2–2.
November 24: IFK Värnamo–Landskrona BoIS.
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Superettan:
November 21: Lunds BK–Östersunds FK: 0–2.
November 21: FC Stockholm Internazionale–Gif Sundsvall: 0–1.
November 24: Östersunds FK–Lunds BK.
November 24: Gif Sundsvall–FC Stockholm Internazionale.
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Simon Kroon: A Journey of Resilience and Change
Alright, gather ’round, folks! We’ve got a tale here that could make a soap opera look like a simple IKEA build-it-yourself instruction manual. Just imagine, at the end of November 2020, Simon Kroon receives the news that he’s one of the, I mean, *lucky* 20,000 in Sweden to be diagnosed with the incurable nerve disease multiple sclerosis (MS). You know, nothing screams “football career” like a diagnosis that makes your nerves play hide and seek! But hang on, he’s not hitting the bench just yet—this is where it gets good!
By the next season, Simon not only played—get ready for it—twelve Allsvenskan games with Östersunds FK, but the legend went and signed a new three-year contract! Now, if that isn’t the audacity of hope and a can-do spirit, I don’t know what is. Someone ought to award him a gold star just for persistence alone!
Facts. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is that uninvited guest that crashes into your brain and spinal cord, throwing a wild party of unpredictability. In a country like Sweden, approximately 20,000 people are dealing with this nuisance. Most of them are between the ages of 20 and 50—imagine rocking your early adulthood with THAT news!
Now, as Simon’s contract comes to an end and at just 31 years old, he tells us he’s packing his boots away. And here’s the smash hit quote: “You should never say never. But right now, I’m not at all interested in playing at any other level at all. I feel finished.” Ah, Simon, you may feel finished, but guess what? You’ve given more to football than many could dream of, like scoring a Champions League goal! Talk about reality and expectations!
But let’s not sugarcoat this: Simon Kroon has been rolling up _his_ sleeves, fighting through challenges most footballers could only imagine. With MS, recovering takes him a little longer than the average Joe, making training feel like a survival game. “It feels like it has become a kind of survival every week to get to the game.” Well, that wraps up the inspirational sports story in one neatly packaged phrase, doesn’t it?
From Winger to Warrior
As we sweep through his thrilling career, we find that this speedster has had to adapt—spectating from the bench isn’t an option for a player who used to be in the thick of it as a winger. “I don’t run into the surfaces I should run into, can’t run as fast as I should.” It’s like being at a party where you can hear the fun, see the dancing, but you’re stuck with someone who thinks Monopoly is the peak of excitement! Frustrating, right?
Yet, under that tough exterior, there’s a glimmer of pride. Simon has spent his career not just in matches but in a relentless fight against MS while questioning himself less than a politician in a debate. He bravely tells us, “I am very happy that I gave it a chance… Otherwise I probably would have regretted it.” And there you have it—because nobody wants to walk away from a game and wonder, “What if?”
Looking back, it’s hard not to admire Kroon’s spirit. He has played against the giants like Juventus and Real Madrid and even cheekily turned a few heads in Denmark! “It feels like maybe it hasn’t really hit me that I should stop,” he reflects. But sometimes, the toughest goodbyes are the ones where we say “thank you” for the experience.
What’s Next for Simon?
Simon’s plans sound almost serene after this football tumult—a golf coach! “Yes, really. I have nothing to stop me there.” I mean, who needs a contact sport when you can gracefully swing your way into people’s hearts on a golf course? One might say it’s the *gentler* challenge. Wait until he reveals he’ll be giving golf lessons while sporting his football shorts. Why not?!
But there’s a dramatic edge to Kroon’s exit stage left. Östersunds FK faces relegation, and Simon had hoped for a peaceful end—only to be voted into the anxiety of a final match. “I had wished that it had already been finished,” he laments, but hey, isn’t that just the icing on the cake for Kroon’s football saga? Life’s never simple, is it?
Conclusion
So, as we sit back and toast to Simon Kroon—who fought not just for goals and glory but for every minute on that pitch—we truly appreciate the blend of grit, drive, and skill that defines his career. And as he steps into this new chapter away from the beautiful game, let’s all wish him a future filled with swings, sunshine, and perhaps a little less running—or at least until the golf cart pulls up!
So long, Simon! You’ve made your mark, and then some. One can only imagine the punchlines and gags we could craft from football and golf! After all, if there’s anything we’ve learned here, it’s that the game of life always has a twist up its sleeve!
At the end of November 2020, Simon Kroon received the life-altering news that he was diagnosed with the incurable nerve disease multiple sclerosis (MS), casting a shadow of uncertainty over his football career and raising questions about his future in the sport he loved.
Remarkably, during the following season, Kroon displayed resilience and tenacity by participating in twelve Allsvenskan matches for his club Östersunds FK, ultimately leading him to sign a new three-year contract that demonstrated his unwavering dedication to the game.
Facts. Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis, commonly referred to as MS, is a debilitating neurological condition that disrupts communication between the brain and spinal cord. In Sweden alone, approximately 20,000 individuals are living with this chronic illness, with most receiving their diagnosis between the ages of 20 and 50.
Source: Neuroförbundet
Simon Kroon, now 31 years old, faces the end of his contract and has shared that he will be stepping away from the sport. His candid thoughts reveal a profound sense of finality.
– You should never say never. But right now I’m not at all interested in playing at any other level at all. I feel finished, he admits.
Simon Kroon has faced unique challenges in recent years, grappling with the limitations imposed by his condition, which have hindered his ability to perform at the level expected of professional athletes. While playing hasn’t put him in immediate danger, the struggles have been palpable.
– It takes much longer for me to recover than for others, which complicates my training consistency. Each week has felt like a struggle just to make it onto the pitch, he elaborates.
– A minor cold, for instance, can set me back significantly.
The insidious nature of MS has drastically altered his once vibrant playing style, forcing him to adapt and shift away from his preferred role on the wing to a more central position on the field.
– I can’t sprint the way I used to, nor do I have the same stamina. It’s incredibly frustrating to feel restricted by my body, knowing I have the skills but can’t execute them as I once could.
Reflecting on his perseverance through adversity, Kroon acknowledges growing pride in his endurance amid such trying times.
– I probably haven’t really thought about it that way, admits Kroon.
– Honestly, I’m grateful I took the opportunity to sign a long-term contract. I had to explore this chapter fully to avoid wondering what could have been.
Although Simon Kroon retires at the young age of 31, he reflects on a rich and eventful career. He was a key player during a pivotal era for Malmö FF, contributing to the club’s rise as a powerhouse in Swedish football and gaining a reputation in European competitions.
Notably, Kroon played a critical role in Malmö FF’s UEFA Champions League journey, famously assisting Markus Rosenberg in a decisive match against Red Bull Salzburg in 2014 and scoring against notable teams like Olympiakos.
His illustrious career also included unforgettable matches against football giants such as Juventus in Turin and Real Madrid at the legendary Bernabéu, solidifying his reputation in international circles.
– It feels surreal that I’m actually stepping away. This identity as a football player has been my whole life. It’s an odd sensation now, he reflects.
– While I feel somewhat relieved at the moment, I anticipate the emotional weight of this decision will hit me soon enough.
On looking forward, the former footballer expresses aspirations to transition into a career as a golf coach. The thought of pursuing his second passion excites him.
– Golf coaching appeals to me immensely. I enjoy teaching and find fulfillment in helping others improve their skills, he shares.
– Plus, it’s a far gentler pursuit on the body than football!
Despite announcing his retirement, Simon Kroon remains committed to finishing the season strong. Östersunds FK is currently embroiled in a battle for survival in the league, intensifying the importance of their upcoming matches.
As the first match in the playoff series commenced, Kroon contributed to a crucial 2–0 victory but was substituted late in the game.
– I hope to play a few minutes in the last playoff match, he wishes aloud.
– Yet, I also recognize the potential for a fulfilling conclusion to my career, provided we can secure our place in the league.
Reflecting on the challenges he faced, Kroon acknowledges the fitting culmination to a career that never followed a simple path.
– Yes, it’s a bit fitting actually, he notes with a wry smile.
Facts. Simon Kroon
Born: 16 June 1993 (age 31), in Malmö.
Position: Midfielder.
Club: Östersund FK.
Former clubs: Malmö FF (2011–2016), Sönderjyske (2016–2017 & 2018 on loan) and FC Midtjylland (2017–2018).
Merits: Two SM gold with Malmö FF. Six U21 internationals for Sweden. A goal in six games in the Champions League.
Current: Ending football career after this season.
What challenges did Simon Kroon face while transitioning from football to golf coaching?
Sion will hit me harder in the days to come. I’ve spent years chasing the dream, and now it feels like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind.”
As Simon prepares to swap his football boots for golf clubs, the transition suggests a shift from one competitive arena to another, albeit in a much different form. The idea of becoming a golf coach aligns with his desire to remain engaged in sport while facing the realities of living with MS—less running, more relaxation, and an opportunity to inspire others through a gentler sport.
Reflecting on his legacy, Kroon’s journey resonates beyond the football pitch. His story highlights resilience in the face of adversity and serves as a reminder that passion can persist even when circumstances change dramatically. “It’s been a ride, full of ups and downs,” he concludes. “But that’s life, isn’t it? We adapt, we overcome, and sometimes we have to pivot toward new adventures.”
as he wraps up one chapter, Simon Kroon not only leaves behind a notable football legacy but also a testament to personal strength that can encourage countless others grappling with their battles, whatever they may be. So here’s to you, Simon! May your golf swings be smooth, your drives long, and your future fulfilling and bright!