Football-loving Schulz sets sights on leading Germany as he leaves EU post behind

Former European Parliament president Martin Schulz reacts after his speech at a meeting of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) at their party headquarters in Berlin, Germany, January 29, 2017, were Schulz was officially appointed SPD party leader. REUTERS/Hannibal Hanschke

BERLIN (Reuters) - Martin Schulz, nominated by Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) on Sunday to run against conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel in the September election, knows how it feels to have his dreams shattered.

He was forced to give up his ambition of becoming a professional football player after injuring his knee as a youngster. After that, he sank into alcoholism and depression.