When Grischa Prömel arrived at Stuttgart’s training ground in his Ford Fiesta, the car stood out against the luxury vehicles often associated with elite football. Reports describe it as a blue sixth-generation Fiesta, a model dating to the mid-2000s, and more than 20 years old. They have not stated its exact model year or technical specification.
The 31-year-old midfielder, who joined Stuttgart ahead of the club’s Champions League campaign, has made clear that cars have never been a priority for him. “Cars are not impressive to me. I haven’t even started a family yet, so why would I buy a new car?” he explained, information from German media. His position has become a talking point in the dressing room, where high-end models are a familiar sight.
Prömel declined a new Mercedes and kept driving the Fiesta, which carries family history. His grandparents originally gave the car to his brother before Prömel took it over. That attachment gives the old Ford a personal significance a luxury upgrade could not replace.
The car story also has an institutional dimension. In October 2026, reports citing Sport Bild said VfB Stuttgart had instructed first-team players to arrive at the club in Mercedes or Porsche company vehicles, not private cars, with possible fines for breaches. The reports described this as an internal club instruction. They pointed to the commercial ties behind it: Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Porsche AG each hold slightly more than 10% of VfB Stuttgart 1893 AG, according to the coverage. On 20 October, Stuttgart’s official match page listed Prömel and Angelo Stiller in midfield for the match against Atlético Madrid.
Prömel’s choice has drawn light-hearted teasing from teammates, especially when his Fiesta is parked beside cars such as Deniz Undav’s Rolls-Royce, valued at around €400,000. He remains unfazed, content with a modest car and the memories attached to it. Other footballers have also resisted expensive vehicles: Fabián Ruiz, for example, continues to lead a Smart Fortwo despite a trophy-laden career.
Stories about footballers and their cars regularly draw attention, whether they involve extravagant purchases or a refusal to follow the crowd. The contrast is especially sharp with players such as Marcos Llorente, who made news for arriving at Atlético de Madrid training in a Ferrari worth €350,000. RUSSPAIN covered the moment in detail.
Prömel’s story offers a glimpse of football’s more personal side, where family history can matter more than status. Even in a club environment shaped by commercial partnerships and the visibility of luxury cars, his attachment to the Ford reflects a different set of priorities off the pitch.
Luxury cars are a familiar part of sponsorship arrangements in top-level football, but Prömel’s decision shows that prestige does not appeal to every player in the same way. For him, the Fiesta’s family connection outweighs the appeal of a new vehicle, making an ordinary car an unusually memorable part of his football story.
