Mikkel Hansen announces retirement after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

A three time IHF Male Player of the Year, a three time world champion and an Olympic and European champion, Mikkel Hansen has announced that he will retire at the end of the season, hanging his trademark headband after a star-studded career, entering the history as one of the best players in the history of handball.

The 36-year-old will put an end to his playing career after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, provided he will be called up by Denmark coach Nikolaj Jacobsen in the final roster, as he is nursing a groin injury, trying to make a comeback for his club, Aalborg Håndbold.

“For almost 20 years now, I have been so privileged to make a living from the sport I love. I have represented some of the biggest clubs in the world. I have always said that I wanted to stop on the day that the play, the joy and the dedication were no longer there. It still is. But I also think I've come to a place where I can feel that there are other things that draw me. Therefore, I feel that this summer is the perfect time to end my playing career,” says Hansen.

 

 

 

 

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The Denmark left back was a three-time MVP of the IHF Men’s World Championship, at Spain 2013, Denmark/Germany 2019 and Egypt 2021, scoring 356 goals in the competition, the largest number in history.

Hansen also has five medals in the world handball flagship competition – three gold, at Denmark/Germany 2019, Egypt 2021 and Poland/Sweden 2023, and two silver, at Sweden 2011 and Spain 2013. He was also part of the Denmark team which became the first in history to secure a three-peat at the IHF Men’s World Championship, as well as a 30-match unbeaten streak.

The Denmark superstar scored 1350 goals in 266 matches for his national team, being also named the MVP at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the top goal scorer at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the All-Star left back at the 2011 and 2021 IHF Men’s World Championship and the All-Star left back at the EHF EURO 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2022.

“I will always have a huge love for the sport. I don't think anyone will question that,” added Hansen, during a press conference organised by his current club, Aalborg Håndbold.

Hansen began playing handball in his hometown of Helsingør as a junior, following in his father’s footsteps, as Flemming Hansen has also represented Denmark. The talented left back signed for GOG in 2005 as his first senior club and went to play two years for Barcelona, and another two in Copenhagen. 

He spent 10 years at Paris Saint-Germain, before returning in Denmark, to Aalborg in 2022. Securing 33 titles at club level, but the biggest regret for Hansen was not clinching the EHF Champions League Men or the IHF Men’s Super Globe, finishing on the second place in 2017 and 2016 respectively.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank a lot of people, not least my family. But certainly also coaches, fellow players, physiotherapists, physical trainers, team managers, agents and all the others who help shape a player. I have been extremely lucky to have met a lot of people who have wanted the best for me,” concluded Hansen.