My Inspiration: Axel Tuanzebe
TranscriptAxel Tuanzebe names a forward and a defender as the players he enjoyed watching the most as a youngster…
Who was your inspiration as a young footballer? “Being young, I had loads of inspirations, loads of players I just enjoyed watching play. For example I’d probably say the person I enjoyed watching most was Ronaldinho, just because of how he was able to beat a man. He had, I’d say, the complete package – he was strong, he was quick, he had technique, he had skill, he could finish. “But also on a defensive level, I loved Maldini. Same type of physical attributes as Ronaldinho, but he had the other side of the game – the pessimist, the looking out for your team-mates, the brutality, the tackling and the aggression. I looked at both of their games and always wanted to add little stuff into mine. “Never try and recreate someone else’s game, but just adapt it into yours. Those two were definitely a big inspiration for me, I definitely tried to base my game around them.” Outside of football, who inspires you to go the distance? “Inspirations in different terms, I’d say my dad’s always been an inspiration to me, just how supportive and hard-working he is in his own life, motivates me to better in mine and ultimately to make him proud.”