A quick chat with German footballer Marco Reus:
AmongMen: What has your biggest success been, beyond your career in football?
Marco Reus: The most important thing for me is that I’ve stayed healthy through the years. Footballers are especially prone to getting injured. Overall I can say that I’m very happy with my life at the moment. In addition to my health, positive thinking is very important to me. I’m a very positive person. I’m outgoing and like meeting people.
AM: Are you passionate about other things in your life besides football?
MR: Naturally football takes up a lot of my time. In addition, I try to spend time with my friends. We go to the cinema or out for a meal. I also like spending time with the guys playing on the PlayStation. Having time with my family and closest friends is very important to me. I also try to meet up with old friends and keep up with people I don’t see so often since I’ve become involved in football.
AM: Do you have any rituals you do in the dressing room before a game? Are you superstitious? Are there things you always do before a game?
MR: Yes. I like to listen to music before each game. I love music and always listen to it when we’re going to a match or coming out of the dressing room to do warm ups. On the one hand I use it to fire myself up, but I also use it to relax, so I can focus and prepare for the coming match. Other than that I always put on my right shoe and my right shin-guard first and always walk onto the field with my right foot.
AM: What did you buy with your first professional paycheque?
MR: I have to admit that when I saw the figure on my first paycheque I was completely surprised, since for a young man it was a dream come true to earn so much money. I had moved into a new flat back then and spent most of the money on that.
AM: Do you have any advice that you’d like to share with others?
MR: I can only say once again that, regardless of how it’s going at the moment, it’s important to remain positive and never give up. You should always believe in yourself and be open to the people you meet. If you do, life will be more rewarding.
AM: Do you remember your first fragrance?
MR: I received my first fragrance as a birthday present from my parents. I don’t remember how old I was. But I do remember it being a refreshing scent. My birthday is in the summer, so it suited the time of year.
AM: Who’s going to win the 2014 World Cup?
MR: (laughs) I think there are a lot of national teams capable of winning the World Cup. Germany is certainly one of them, in addition to Brazil, Italy, France and England. We’re doing a lot to prepare for it. In recent years we’ve done well in the European Championships and the World Cup, but never succeeded in taking that last step. Now it’s time. That’s our goal and we’ll do everything we can to achieve it.
AM: What is your favourite scent, and what can’t you stand?
MR: I really like the smell of vanilla. In general, it’s important that things smell fresh. For example, if I go into a room and it smells fresh, then it makes me feel good and I’m full of energy. It makes me feel comfortable and at ease. It’s hard to say which scents I don’t like. There are probably two or three that I’m not so keen on, but I’ve never smelled one I can’t stand.
AM: How would you describe your personal style?
MR: As in life in general, I’m open for new things. I try out new styles and use a range of products. Then I see if I like the way they make me feel and if they match my personality.
AM: Do you have any special exercises that you do to stay fit?
MR: Yes, of course. Over the course of the year I have a lot of games and only a few breaks. I always have to be fit and ready. For example, I do a lot of yoga.
NEXT: More from Sergio Ramos…
