WON’T GET TIME FOR MYSELF IF I COACH
Peruvian footballer Claudio Pizarro, who was in the country to scout for talent, talks life choices, the game and India
As an ambassador, I do a lot of things with kids who are aspiring footballers, work on sponsorships, and still have time for myself. CLAUDIO PIZARRO, Former Peruvian footballer
It’s his first time in India, and former Peruvian football star Claudio Pizarro is all smiles as he steps on the field for a friendly match with the All Stars club, consisting of actors Kartik Aaryan, Jim Sarbh, Aparshakti Khurana, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar and others.
The footballer, who was in the country for just two days, to identify talent for the German football league Bundesliga, feels he should have prolonged his visit. Posing for a shoot with us, Pizzarro tells us, “I was very excited to visit! Sadly, it was just two days. I hope the next time I am here for more days. Whenever I go to a new place I check out the history and culture of that place beforehand; I have heard a lot about your special culture.” Considered the most successful Latin American footballer in the history of the sport in Germany, Pizarro hung up his boots after the 2019-20 season.
While he continues to be the ambassador for Bayern Munich, he has stayed away from coaching duties. When we mention this, he laughs and says, “It’s very easy to say [all this]. However, when I finished my career, I said to myself, ‘I would like to have a lot of time for me’, because I gave too much time to football. I knew after my career, I will need some me- time. [Presently] as an ambassador, I work with kids who are aspiring footballers, work on sponsorships, and still have time for myself. If I am a coach, I would not get any time for myself.”
Pizarro admits he has not followed the Indian football scene much, but knows about footballer Sunil Chhetri. “I saw kids playing football here, watched Indian football for the first time. I did not know much about it but I liked and enjoyed it. I hope I can learn a bit more (smiles),” he shares.
Interestingly, Pizzaro has unconventional answers when asked to choose between legendary footballing clubs. Among English clubs, he prefers Chelsea and Manchester United ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal, respectively. “I have played for Chelsea; it’s in my heart, and Manchester United because I have some friends playing there,” he ends.