Emil Forsberg and Shanga (foto: Uradni FB/TW/IG profil igralca)
Emil Forsberg’s move to the United States came at a personal cost, leading to the collapse of his long-term marriage to Shanga Forsberg.
Emil Forsberg made a career-changing move by swapping the Bundesliga for MLS, but it took a heavy toll on his personal life, causing the end of his 19-year-long relationship with his ex-wife, Shanga Forsberg. A few months ago, Shanga reportedly filed for divorce, ending their marriage that began in 2016. But what led to the breakdown of their relationship?
Unlike many of the famous WAGs, Shanga's passion for football started early, and she was once a professional soccer player herself. She played for FFV Leipzig, a German club. According to Emil Forsberg, Shanga was not only his biggest supporter but also his 'harshest critic', with an acute understanding of the game’s intricacies. Emil once told The Guardian, “When I come back from a game and she is really quiet, I know that I have played really badly.”
The couple, who have two children together, shared a deep bond, with Emil rating Shanga as a "better footballer" than him. However, Shanga’s playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury at 18. Despite that setback, their relationship remained strong, with Shanga expressing her love for Emil, stating she loved him "more than anything." But as Emil’s career progressed, the strain of his move to New York Red Bull and the lifestyle changes that followed became too much for their relationship to bear.
On March 25th, Shanga shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, explaining the reasons behind their separation. She wrote, “We will part ways,” and detailed how Emil’s move to the United States left her and their two children feeling neglected. She pointed out that Emil often spoke to reporters more than to his own family, adding, “Since you haven’t communicated at all, apart from insisting that you can’t explain your actions, let time tell what it was you wanted to achieve by ghosting your family.”
Shanga expressed frustration with the lack of communication from Emil and urged him to show more respect and consideration for others, particularly their children. She concluded her post by saying, “For your sake, I hope you don’t regret it and that your new life in NY is worth a divorce and the way you treated your children and their mother.”
Although Emil Forsberg is performing well on the pitch in MLS, it’s clear that the personal fallout from his divorce has been difficult. He admitted to the Daily Mail that he feels lonely in the United States without his family, stating, “I didn’t want to be without my daughters.” Forsberg acknowledged the current situation, saying, “But it’s the way it is now, so I can’t do so much about it. But that way… those things will settle.”