Austria international David Alaba opened a football cage in Arenbergpark in Vienna on Monday afternoon together with the City of Vienna and his long-term partner Adidas. An “emotional day” for the 30-year-old, as he made the leap from the city’s football pitches to the big football world.
Several hundred children, young people and adults gathered well before the start of the official celebrations to witness the opening of the new football cage in Vienna’s third district together with their idol David Alaba.
In addition to a small ceremony at the beginning, the unveiling of the mural and a small “kickerl”, in which the Real Madrid professional took part, were among the highlights of the event. In the end, the 30-year-old fulfilled numerous autograph and photo requests from the fans.
“I grew up in such cages”
Alaba himself played in a cage in Vienna almost every afternoon during his childhood and youth. That’s another reason why the opening was an emotional affair for him. “I grew up in such cages. That’s where my path began. Being in this place now is very special,” says Alaba of the “APA”. As soon as he entered the soccer field, he was able to recognize his “young self” in the children and remembered that time.
A special moment was the unveiling of a mural. This work of art is located directly next to the outline of the playing field on the wall of a bunker, is 30 meters wide and eight meters high and depicts the individual career steps of the three-time Champions League winner.
From the professional beginnings at Wiener Austria to the extremely successful time at FC Bayern to the current station Real Madrid and the numerous appearances in the Austrian national team. Alaba felt “goosebumps” at the unveiling.
“I want it to be a vibrant place”
Meanwhile, the new football field was also inaugurated. In a 12-minute match, the Real Madrid pro and friends competed against a selected team. Alaba promised to stop by this place from time to time in the future to “gamble” a bit with his boys.
Otherwise, the cage will primarily be used by the city’s young sports enthusiasts. “I want it to be a vibrant place where children have the opportunity to live out what they strive for and dream about,” emphasizes Alaba.
The ÖFB national player is currently in the middle of preparations with Real Madrid. Just yesterday he returned from a two-week trip to the United States. The team is already in good shape, and the goals for the coming season have already been set: “At the end of the season we want to be at the top of the championship again and get as far as possible in the champions. Real Madrid just stands for success,” says Alaba.
On August 10, the Supercup final will take place against Eintracht Frankfurt, four days later Real will start the new LaLiga season.
Textquelle: © APA to the top »
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