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BENJAMIN SOLAND
![Innocent Emeghara is happy to be back in Winterthur.]()
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Innocent Emeghara is happy to be back in Winterthur.
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Keystone
![The former Winterthur junior left the club ten years ago.]()
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The former Winterthur junior left the club ten years ago.
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Keystone
![To GC. And just one year later, “Innos” begins its foreign adventure.]()
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To GC. And just one year later, “Innos” begins its foreign adventure.
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BENJAMIN SOLAND
![Today “Inno” is not only back at FCW, but also manages the “Swiss Ice Box”.]()
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Today “Inno” is not only back at FCW, but also manages the “Swiss Ice Box”.
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BENJAMIN SOLAND
![And he's happy to be able to spend more time with his son Lionel again.]()
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And he’s happy to be able to spend more time with his son Lionel again.
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After nine years abroad, you have now installed yourself permanently in your home town of Winterthur for the first time. How does it feel?
Innocent Emeghara: Winti is my home. I feel at home there and know every corner. I am glad to be here again.–
Did you already have an apartment?
Since I spent most of my holidays here in Winterthur, I bought an apartment in Winti a few years ago. So I’ve always had a home here.–
And do you hang pictures of Obama and Nelson Mandela in this apartment, just like in your early days at FCW?
Laughs … Yes. Nelson Mandela has inspired me all my life. I admire him – he’s an incredible person. But seeing Obama’s success back then, even though he looks different, has really helped me in my career. It showed me that if you believe in what you want to achieve, you can go far.–
Are you satisfied with the way your career has gone?
By and large, yes. From beautiful and funny to mentally incredibly brutal experiences – everything has happened. But all of these experiences taught me a lot and that is the most important thing for me.–
By “incredibly brutal” you mean your severe knee injury?
Amongst other things. My injury in California was one of the worst experiences of my career. But I also had to take this experience with me.–
Did you think of giving up?
Yes. After the two years in which I couldn’t play, such thoughts have already crossed my mind. But I really wanted to go on for a few more years. Thanks to the many therapies, it worked out.–
Can you tell us a highlight from the last 13 years?
My Nati debut at Wembley Stadium when I was substituted on by Ottmar Hitzfeld in the 89th minute. To play against the greatest players in England that you saw on TV as a child – that was a huge experience for me.–
You have played in clubs around the world, where did you like it best?
In spite of everything that had happened, California was where I felt most at home. When I got there, my teammates greeted me with the phrase “Welcome to Paradise” (laughs). That had something. But to be honest, I preferred to play in Switzerland. Here you have everything you need.–
Why did you move abroad from GC so quickly?
I had to and wanted to go abroad, if only for financial reasons. I would never have got as much money in Switzerland as I earned abroad (in the USA 1.3 million francs by the editor). I had to sacrifice a bit for it in the last few years, but I also really enjoyed the time. She has brought me a lot further as a person.–
Now you are back at FCW and dhe club is counting on your routine. Are you afraid of not being able to meet the expectations?
Fear doesn’t exist in my dictionary. I’m doing my best, that’s all I can do. Look, I was injured in California and I was out for two years. What happened? The club still exists, I’m still alive. Nobody died. Fear, pressure, it just doesn’t work.–
Why did you come back?
I’ve had this plan for a long time. Due to the corona virus, however, I thought more and more about it and finally came to the decision that now is the right time. But it was always clear to me that one day I would return to build my second future here in Winterthur.–
That brings us to the “Swiss Ice Box”, the company you manage. How did this idea come about?
As a child I dreamed of becoming a footballer and then building something that would give people the opportunity to feel better mentally and healthily. I started this cold therapy after my injury in California. And when I saw that Real Madrid and PSG have that and that Neymar and Mbappé do that too, I thought: Why isn’t there in Winterthur yet? I do this every day now and I feel a lot better.–
But surely there is another reason for your return?
Yes, of course, my son Lionel. I am very happy to have more time with him again. It was a little difficult abroad. All the more I want to strengthen the connection to my son again.–
Is Lionel as passionate about football as his dad?
No not more. His hobby is karate. He goes his own way and I think that’s great.—
Published: January 15, 2021, 12:52 p.m.-Last updated: January 15, 2021, 1:15 p.m.–
