How does a talent become a professional? Bundesliga player Christoph Klarer from Darmstadt 98 talks in an interview about homesickness in England, the pressure in youth football and the misconceptions of many players.

Mr. Klarer, you trained as a footballer in your home country, Austria, and then began your youth at a very young age. England He left and ended up in Germany as a young professional. Based on your experience, would you say: The best reach the top of football?

At the end of the day, quality always prevails. The crucial question is whether these players, in addition to their great skills, are also willing to work hard and continuously on themselves. Along the way I met many players who were much better when they were young and had more potential than me, but who we didn't hear from again soon after. I tried to understand how many of my youth teammates did fast Vienna and FC Southampton have reached professional football and many no longer even play football as a hobby.