Every game is important - Koln defender Gideon Mensah ahead of Bundesliga debut

Ghana international Gideon Mensah says his World Cup experience has reinforced the importance of treating every match as an opportunity as he prepares for his first Bundesliga campaign with 1. FC Köln.

The 28-year-old left-back joined the German club as a free agent after leaving French side AJ Auxerre, with the move confirmed after the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Reflecting on the lessons he hopes to carry into life in Germany, Mensah said the tournament reminded him that players cannot afford to take matches for granted.

"To know that every, every single game is very important for a player, because you never know. It doesn't last for long, you know?" he told Bundesliga.

"Also, for the season here in the Bundesliga, I know that every weekend, every week, every game that we play, I can't take it for granted."

Mensah also revealed that deciding on his next club was straightforward, as discussions with Köln had already advanced before the World Cup began.

"Yes, it was, like I said, something that was already being talked about before. The talks started before the World Cup, so in the middle of the World Cup, I knew where I was going to go already. So it wasn't a difficult situation for me," he added in an interview with Bundesliga.

The defender has already made his competitive debut for Köln, starting in their 2-1 DFB-Pokal victory over Würzburger Kickers earlier this week.

Mensah will now turn his attention to making his Bundesliga debut as Köln begin their campaign, hoping to establish himself as a regular in the German top flight after spells in France, Austria and Portugal.