Schmeichel, a Manchester United fan for life
Does Great Dane ring a bell? We’re not talking of the canine breed but the moniker of a Manchester United legend always ready for a dogfight on the football field. Peter Schmeichel, the Danish captain who led his national team to the Euro title in 1992 and Man U to a cherished treble of the EPL, FA Cup and the Champions League trophies in 1999, still looks good to be on the pitch. At 49, the 6-foot-3 former goalkeeper is fit as ever, and is passionate about the game as well.
“I’d do anything for football. I’d play for free but get paid for it,” he smiles as he speaks about the game.
The conversation invariably veers towards the Messi vs Ronaldo debate. Peter puts his money on the Portuguese. “For me Ronaldo is the best player in the world,” he says before explaining, “I don’t think he has disappointed us in anyway. His game numbers two, three and four (at the Euro) have been phenomenal. I thought he really stepped up in these Euros and as captain was showing his players what they needed to do, except for the first game against Germany.”
Comparing their styles of play, Schmeichel says “there are certain limitations to Messi but they are not about himself and more about the guys around him. Messi’s skill level is so high that he needs to have the understanding of the guys he is playing with. He could sometimes pass the ball to someone who’s so marked that he would not understand that he would expect to give it back with one touch.”
“But I know Cristiano can play on any team. He’s on his own, a force so strong physically and technically. He is a complete player who is capable of everything — he could even defend if you need him to do that,” the legend simplifies.
Schmeichel also threw his weight behind Spain, who have been receiving flak for toning down their attacking style of play. “It’s matter of putting technical football ahead of physical football. At times it can get difficult for Spain as some teams are very negative and very defensive. But I think Spain are worthy World and European champions and a quality team. I don’t know how anyone can criticise Spain?”
The goalkeeping legend is also not quite in favour of goal-line technology citing stoppages. “If you can invent something that would show (or tell the referee over his ear piece) if the ball was over the line at an instant and does not require stoppage of the game, it is fine. All the technology I’ve seen or read about requires the game to stop,” he says.
Ask him about the psyche of a goalkeeper in a penalty shootout and “it’s a lottery,” is the instant reply. “The mindset is you are going to concede goals anyway. As for me, I just made a system. I am going to left, right, left, left, right because there is nothing you can do about it.” There’s a bit of Sergio Aguero (Maradona’s son-in-law) in Schmeichel. He too married the daughter of his mentor/coach. The couple have a son named Kasper who, like his father, is a goalkeeper — with Leicester City in the English Championships (second tier league).
As for Schmeichel, he remains a die-hard Manchester United fan. “Always was, always will be.”