Lothar Matthäus: There is no need to fear for the Hungarian national team!

– Where did you welcome the new year?
– In Germany – Lothar Matthäus, former head coach of the Hungarian national team from 2003 to 2006, and who has been working as a commentator on German television, told our portal.

– With friends?
– And with the family! It wasn't a big party, there were only nine people on New Year's Eve, and because of the regulations, there could've been ten people max. The pandemic has profoundly changed our lives. We were together talking, drinking, eating and that's it. There weren't even fireworks... I told the others that I don't miss it. At the end of August, I see a beautiful one in Budapest anyways – and it's enough for me for a year.

– Are you having a hard time being confined?
– Honestly, no. In fact, I'm enjoying it. My whole life has been defined by glamour, events, crowded stadiums, loud changing rooms; it's good to get away from the eyes of the world! A lot of people think it's my life to be in the spotlight and I like to be written about and be on the magazine covers. It's nuts! I'm enjoying myself as it is.

– It's weird to hear that from you...
– But it's true. Do you know what's good about my life right now? That nothing special happens! I'm enjoying every moment of it. Times passes, I celebrated my 60th in March, days pass, but I wouldn't even say it's flying. The most important thing is that my family and I are healthy.

– Have you contracted the coronavirus?
– I have three shots. It was not a question that I would get vaccinated as soon as possible. Luckily, I haven't caught the disease so far, although I might add that I'm very careful with myself, I'm precautious. I don't go to cafes or restaurants; we rather cook for ourselves at home. Believe me, this one has its beauty, too.

– But do you do sports?
– I jog five times a week. You caught up with me in Munich, I ran in the morning. If I'm in Budapest, I run or cycle – because I like that too – either on Margaret Island or at Normafa.

– Is sport the secret to the fact – with a little exaggeration – that you haven't changed in the past decades?
– There's no magic in that. I maintain my health, and I keep myself fresh emotionally as well. If one doesn't have enough time for their body, mental freshness, they will be apathetic sooner or later. Maybe that's why I feel so much younger than I actually am.

– You have a love for skiing: are you going to the mountains again this year?
– I rented an apartment in Kitzbühel for the end of February. What Wembley or Maracanã are in football, it is Kitzbühel in skiing. There are the best and fastest pistes, and not to mention that it's close to Munich. If I'm busy, I get in the car and I'm at my apartment in an hour and a half.

– Does your 8-year-old son Milan still play football?
– Yes, and he loves it very much. We spend a lot of time together, and in Munich, he goes to a small club's training. It's not Bayern Munich, because the club does not have such an age group. In Germany, we watch a lot of matches on television; he knows all the top scorers in the Bundesliga and the Champions League results by heart. As I see it, he is really interested in football.

– Who's the kid's favorite?
– Robert Lewandowski, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala.

– And can he become a great footballer?
– He loves the game, he enjoys it, but he's not the most skillful guy of his age group. But that's not the goal. The most important thing for me right now is that he loves what he does. Back in the day, I didn't just use my talent to achieve what I've achieved...

– Is perseverance the key to success?
– I owe a lot to my dedication. I wasn't the most talented in my age group either, but the fact that I wanted success the most is for sure! I never gave up. I stayed out to practice after training, I knew at the time that I wanted to be the best at everything. I took the right steps at the right time, and somehow, I always transferred at the right moment. I signed with Bayern Munich from Mönchengladbach, then to Inter. I could have transferred sooner, but I always waited until I felt I was ready for another challenge.

– If someone had told you that little Lothar was going to be a Ballon d'Or and World Champion footballer, would you have believed it?
– I would have laughed at it. Obviously, I had dreams, but it never occurred to me that I could be the best in the world. As a child, I wanted to be part of the local team, as a teenager I dreamed of playing in the German national team, and at the age of 18, I hoped to have a world-renowned career. Luckily, I did all of them!

– To whom would you have given the 2021 Ballon d'Or?
– I accepted the final result. Look, both Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski had a great year, and journalists seem to have taken into account that the Argentine star has also made a big impression in South America.

– What will the Hungarian national team do in the hellishly strong Nations League group against Germany, Italy, and England?
– This is a huge opportunity for Hungarian football! There is no need to fear for the national team, its best have shown at the European Championship that they are not afraid of anyone. During the European Championship, many people started liking the team. No one expected them to put pressure on the big team, but they managed to cause unpleasant moments for the rivals. They will have to enjoy football in the Nations League too, which is likely to be good for Marco Rossi's team if play against the best in the world. Back then, as head coach, I liked to be able to measure our skills against the best; we played against Argentina and Germany too.

– You said you would come to Budapest in mid-January next time: do you feel at home with us?
– The Hungarian capital is one of my favorites. I commute a lot between Germany and Hungary, but it's always good to go home to my apartment in Budapest. I love to sit on the rooftop terrace where I can see downtown. Budapest is a wonderful place.