A surprise omission from Germany's World Cup team, Max Kruse reached the final table at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas on Wednesday, finishing third in his event and winning 26,900 euros ($36,000).
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Kruse, 26, had hoped to be representing his nation at the World Cup this summer, but was left off Joachim Low's provisional 30-man squad. Adding insult to injury, he was listed in the WSOP as "a former soccer pro."
The Borussia Monchengladbach attacker scored 12 goals and created just as many last season, helping his side qualify for the Europa League, but, according to Bild, failed to make the cut for Brazil due to disciplinary reasons.
However, while Die Nationalmannschaft are currently competing in the World Cup, Kruse finished an impressive third in the "No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball."
Kruse is known for his camouflage-coloured Maserati GranTurismo, which was recently crowned "the ugliest car in the Bundesliga" by Bild.
The WSOP prize money is little compared to what he could have been winning had he been selected in Low's World Cup squad. According to Hamburger Abendblatt, each Germany player will get a 150,000-euros bonus for reaching the final, and a 300,000-euros bonus for winning the competition .