The collecting habits of footballers
PROFESSIONAL footballers have to be obsessive when it comes to training and fitness, but it seems some extend this attitude to their personal belongings, too. Players have opened their wardrobes and shown off their rather expensive collections of trainers, caps and, of course, football shirts, to German football publication Bundesliga Magazin. “I once had about 650 pairs but I reduced that when I moved house,” Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng said, referring to his collection of trainers.
“It’s common to think that women are mad about shoes. But in my home it’s the other way round.”
Hoffenheim defender Benjamin Huebner said he wouldn’t reveal how many pairs he has. But Mainz player Leon Balogun admits also collecting trainers. “I don’t have as many as Jerome Boateng, but I’ve got about 100 in my collection.”
Timothy Chandler plays from the US national squad said: “It doesn’t matter which city or country I’m in, I have to buy a new pair of shoes.” Chandler also has another collecting hobby – kitchen appliances. “Because I’m a passionate cook.”
Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen collects tracksuit bottoms. “I wear them every day. I don’t actually have any other type of trousers in my wardrobe,” he said.
Meanwhile, French-born striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang loves shoes and caps. “When it comes to shoes I’m worse than any almost any woman. I’m always collecting caps and wearing one means I don’t have to style my hair, which can take quite a while with me,” he said.
Dutch striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has a different collecting passion. “Together with my wife, I collect cute children,” he said. “We have four already and let’s see how many more come along.” – dpa