Even at nearly 70 years old, “Cross King” Rüdiger Abramczik is coaching FC Schalke 04’s veterans’ team at the 19th NRW Traditionsmasters in Mülheim.

When the 19th NRW Traditionsmasters takes place on January 4, 2026, at the Westenergie Sporthalle Mülheim, Rüdiger Abramczik will be there—as always—for the FC Schalke 04 tradition team. After all, 19 years of the NRW Traditionsmasters also mean 19 years of the “Abi” Ball. Without Schalke’s iconic right winger, the tournament wouldn’t be the same.

“Abramczik crosses—Fischer, goal!” was the winning formula for many of Schalke’s goals in the 1970s and once propelled the dynamic duo into the national team. In November 1977, Klaus Fischer scored the goal of the century with a bicycle kick in an international match against Switzerland. The cross—which in this case was actually timed a bit too far—came, of course, from Rüdiger Abramczik.

After the end of their active careers, both strikers continued to showcase their skills for many years in the S04 Legends team. The two friends were also on the ball for the Royal Blues at the NRW Traditionsmasters. “Especially at the NRW Traditionsmasters,” Rüdiger Abramczik corrects. “Those were many great years on the field. I always loved playing here. The NRW Traditionsmasters is unbeatable in terms of atmosphere and organization. I’d love to put on the blue jersey and play along even today.”

But since he’ll turn 70 in February, he eventually started cutting back on his playing time and has been coaching the Knappen’s all-star team from the sidelines for several years now. Because he doesn’t want to miss the NRW Traditionsmasters.

“Being together with the guys, the feeling in the locker room, and here in Mülheim at the NRW Traditionsmasters—the unique atmosphere in the arena—I just have a blast with all of it,” explains “Abi.” And so, on the first Sunday in January, he’ll once again put on his S04 tracksuit with great anticipation and prepare his team for the matches against the other clubs.

“I’m really looking forward to exciting matches against VfL Bochum, 1. FC Köln, or the other teams again, when the roof feels like it’s going to blow off here thanks to the amazing atmosphere,” Abramczik says with a thumbs-up.

Despite a three-year stint at Borussia Dortmund, the Gelsenkirchen native has always remained a Schalke man. “That’s why I’m naturally very happy about the current upswing,” explains Abramczik. “The fans at Schalke watched terrible soccer for two years. They deserve the fact that things finally seem to be looking up again.” However, he emphasizes, expectations shouldn’t be raised too high right away—the Bundesliga is still a long way off.

At just 17 years old, “Abi” scored the first of 58 Bundesliga goals in 235 appearances for Schalke 04. He became famous, however, not so much for his goals as for his assists. “Even as a ‘Kröte’ [youth player], I was training with the pros at the age of 16,” recalls street soccer player Abramczik, who was born in Gelsenkirchen-Erle and still runs his sports store, Abi’s Sportshop, there.

He serves as a coach for the S04 legacy team alongside fellow Schalke icons Klaus “Tanne” Fichtel and Dietmar “Didi” Schacht. “I still really enjoy this role—just as much as my work representing my Schalke team. I visit fan clubs or events and talk about the old days. And I’m good at chatting,” Abramczik explains with a laugh. That’s what keeps him young.

“Recently, I was at a party with ‘Didi’ Schacht and 700 S04 fans in the Sauerland region. Afterward, we spent nearly two hours taking photos with the supporters. In moments like these, you really feel firsthand how important this club still is to people.” That is the club’s greatest asset.

After all, he remains intimately familiar with the Schalke scene and attends nearly every home game of the Royal Blues. And so, for his milestone birthday, he wishes for one thing above all else, besides good health: “A return to the Bundesliga would be the best gift for me,” says Abramczik. He’d love to celebrate a promotion in May—but he doesn’t want to make a big deal out of his milestone birthday: “Then I’d have to invite at least 1,904 people. I think I’d rather make a quick getaway,” reveals “Abi”—and then take a few days off from his beloved Gelsenkirchen.

And how does he feel at almost 70? “Let me put it this way: Better to turn 70 than to have passed away at 60,” Rüdiger Abramczik replies in his dry manner. That’s how they know and love him at Schalke. And in Mülheim.