So far it has mainly been big names like Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr FC) and Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad Club) who have caused a stir with their moves to Saudi Arabia. Recently, Alexander Hack also surprised with his transfer to Saudi Arabia.
The 30-year-old moved to al-Qadisiyah FC in the second division in Saudi Arabia this summer after nine years at Mainz 05. In the exclusive SPORT1 interview, Hack talks about the surprising change, his critics, the first two months – and the terrible current situation in Israel.
Alexander Hack at the training camp in Marbella in January 2023, at that time with FSV Mainz 05
SPORT1: Mr. Hack, how did you decide to move from the Bundesliga to the second division in Saudi Arabia?
Alexander Hack: I actually wanted to stay in Mainz. I played for the zero fives for nine years, and in Mainz eleven is a magic number. I originally planned to play in Mainz for eleven years. In the back of my mind I even had the plan to end my career in Mainz. But in football you can’t plan anything. Last season I had an injury and barely got any playing time in the second half of the season. I had a lot of conversations with those responsible and had a very bad feeling about my working hours. I didn’t expect it to be Saudi Arabia. But now it’s like this and I’m enjoying playing football here again.
SPORT1: But the second league in Saudi Arabia sounds very adventurous…
Hack: I had been thinking about where I could go for a long time. Suddenly my advisor called. And I’ll be honest, the second division in Saudi Arabia sounded crazy to me. Why should I switch there? But then I heard who would be the coach and which players had already been signed and that convinced me. We have guys who have already played in France, England or Spain and were top performers there. The club’s plan is to get promoted and everything is as professional as I know it from the Bundesliga.
“In terms of football, I was very surprised by the high level”
SPORT1: Julian Draxler recently honestly admitted that the money was a main reason for his move to Qatar. Was that the case for you too?
Hack: Of course I won’t talk around it. I earn many times more than in Germany. But money was one of the reasons, but not the only one. I wanted to play football again, which wouldn’t have been so easy in Germany. So far I’m getting along well here and feel really good again after my injury. I have always had sympathy for people who do the same job elsewhere and earn more money for it. Nobody has to understand me. In today’s society we often tend to point fingers at others.
SPORT1: What do you mean?
Hack: In my opinion people make hasty judgments these days. If you don’t know the person personally and don’t know what’s behind it, it’s always difficult to make a judgment. People can think that I only moved to Saudi Arabia for monetary reasons, that’s their right. Julian Draxler will also have his own motivations. It doesn’t have to mean that I’ll never go back to Germany.
SPORT1: How were the first few weeks in the new world?
Hack: Exciting. When my advisor and I got off the plane we thought, “Phew, it’s pretty hot here.” It’s a whole new culture and a different way of life. I chose a nice corner and live right on the east coast. A lot is developing here and many young people live here. In terms of football, I was very surprised by the high level. The processes are similar to those in European football.
SPORT1: How do you live there?
Hack: I lived in the hotel for the first few weeks. I was well looked after there. Now I live just outside the city. A lot of people who work for our main sponsor live there. There are around 300, 400 houses and some individual apartments. It’s a good place to live, there’s a large pool and the beach is right outside the door. I first moved there and I feel comfortable. But it’s also great in the city, there’s a lot of culture and life is pulsating.
“There isn’t as much swearing here as in Germany”
SPORT1: Are you there alone?
Hack: No, my girlfriend came with me. She has already been here for two weeks and is also pleasantly surprised. My girlfriend is Greek, so it’s not that difficult for her to move away from Germany, which is usually cold. It was clear to us that we wanted to take this step together.
SPORT1: Do you already know something of the language? Does swearing on the pitch work?
Hack: 60 percent of the population is under 40, so it won’t be difficult for us to integrate. Almost everyone can speak English. The Saudis also adopt the English language very well. There isn’t as much swearing here as I’m used to from training sessions and games in Germany. And the good thing is that no one here understands me anyway when I swear in German. (laughs)
SPORT1: So far it has mainly been big names like Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr FC) or Karim Benzema (Al-Ittihad Club) who have caused a stir with their moves. You are the first Bundesliga player to move to the second Saudi league. That’s why there are a lot of different reactions to this transfer.
Hack: You shouldn’t be quick to judge someone you don’t know. If I were at the peak of my career now and played every game for Mainz, then we wouldn’t even be talking about it. I didn’t know where I was going in the summer. I had one or two offers from the Bundesliga, but then I decided to take this step and go to Saudi Arabia. I don’t want to justify it at all. I was also able to continue my rehabilitation here, which I liked. The doctors gave me the time I needed. The overall package convinced me. I certainly didn’t sell my valuables or leave them at the airport.
SPORT1: What do you mean?
Hack: We footballers are often seen in this role model role. And that is absolutely true. In my nine years as a professional in Mainz, I always gave my all and moved forward. I also did a lot for the city and the club. I wanted to be some kind of figurehead. But at 30 you can still experience something and I don’t regret moving to Saudi Arabia. I understand many critics. 99 percent of the reactions were positive and wished me all the best.
SPORT1: How do you assess Saudi Arabia’s World Cup candidacy for 2034?
Hack: I can see that a lot is happening in the country. Everyone feels that football plays an important role in society. The people here are just proud that they can achieve something and are happy that international superstars are coming to Saudi Arabia. We already had an invitation from the prince from the region here and he said: ‘Everyone is welcome to look at this. We want to create something beautiful in the East.’
SPORT1: Can Saudi Arabia become a serious threat to European football?
Hack: Hard to say. Saudi Arabia only started building something two years ago. It feels different than back then in the USA or China. There is also a concept behind it, because academies are also being set up. I now play in a multi-sport club that offers 20 or 30 different sports. If the country really opens up, the Saudis could become a big player. I don’t think it will be bigger than in Europe. Because there is simply too much emotion and tradition in the five biggest leagues.
Israel conflict? “It’s horrible”
SPORT1: How do you assess the situation in Israel?
Hack: The situation is not nice. I follow everything about the German media and am shocked. This is a debate that has been going on for decades, but unfortunately it has now escalated to a new level. We know too little about this sad topic. Of course, it worries me that people are dying on the Israeli and Palestinian sides. It’s horrific. So much has built up in the last few years. A peaceful solution must urgently be found.
SPORT1: How did your Arab colleagues perceive the massacre?
Hack: We got off the plane and then it really escalated. We saw it on TV and we all looked at each other in shock. We didn’t get a word out for a few minutes. No matter whether you are Saudi, Spanish or German – everyone has the same reaction.
SPORT1: You are now 30. What comes next? Do you want to return to Mainz or end your career in Saudi Arabia?
Hack: I remember well my last conversation with Christian Heidel (sports director of Mainz 05, editor) and Martin Schmidt (sports director of Mainz 05, editor). They said to me: “You now have two years to further your training and maybe we will see each other again then.” There is a plan to go back. However, I don’t want to end my career after these two years, but would like to continue playing football at a high level for another two to three years.
SPORT1: Last question: What do you wish for your Mainz team?
Hack: I was only there two weeks ago when I cleared out my apartment. The boys were a bit dejected, but the club got through so much together during my time as a 05 player, with a team strike, the replacement of the entire board and two near relegations. They will do it and get out of the bottom of the table. I wish that for the club. You keep calm and that’s exactly right.
2023-10-18 22:09:13
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