TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Bundesliga's front face Matthaus greets Indonesian fans in attempt to lure more
Former top Germany soccer player Lothar Matthäus visited Jakarta as an ambassador of the German soccer league Bundesliga in attempt to bring Indonesian aficionados closer to the league, which is one of the world's top soccer leagues besides England's Premier League and Spain's La Liga.
Change Size
Germany soccer legend Lothar Matthaus shows the Bundesliga trophy to journalists on Thursday during his visit to Indonesia. The purpose of Matthaus' visit is to bring Indonesian soccer aficionados closer to Bundesliga. (Antaranews,com/Asep Firmansyah)
A
s soon as he speaks, people will easily recognize the strong character of remarkable former German player Lothar Herbert Matthäus. His tone and facial expression tell that the figure, who was once declared the best soccer player in the world, is not afraid to speak his mind.
It was easy to see that the ambition was still there in his eyes, as he did not forget to mention the phrase “you have to improve” a few times during the briefing. One of the qualities that makes a great athlete.
Matthäus, who helped Germany win the FIFA World Cup in 1990, explained the root of his competitiveness, saying it ran in the family.
“I was the youngest and smallest [in my family]. There was a competition between me and my brother in the young age and later in the small village club. I like the competition. I like to be better than other players,” he told press a conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
“I was always the youngest and it means I have to fight. I have to always be at my best to be good enough to keep playing with my older colleagues,” he said.
The 58-year-old, who was born in Erlangen, visited the capital as an ambassador of German soccer league Bundesliga, which organized Bundesliga Experience to meet and attract more fans in Indonesia.
As a player who has tasted prestigious awards such as FIFA World Player of the Year in 1991 and European Soccer Player of the Year in 1990, Matthäus shared his experience with the press about his perspective on today’s soccer.
