A Look Back: Mesut Talks at Length About Life In Madrid (Press Conference: March 23 of 2011)

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

A Look Back: Mesut Talks at SomeLength About Life In Madrid

(Originally posted in the old o_ozil community on March 23, 2011)

I've had several requests to re-post this press-conference translation after Mesut pointedly declined to discuss life in Madrid in his last press-conference. This post contains the translation of his press-conference given on March 23 (Oliver Bierhoff also attended). The Youtube video of Mesut's portion of the press conference has been taken down.

It was an unusually charming press-conference - with the press-pack behaving like fan-boys ("How much time do you spend with Sami Khedira!")

Following the press conference are the press reviews - which were many but not varied! The press was charmed beyond words by Mesut's shyness and the critical reaction was amusing!

Love to ext_1127286 for reminding me to post it!





A full translation (some of Harald Stengers comments have been shortened slightly) - by me, jenny_jenkins

Harald Stenger: Now then, Mesut - a hearty welcome for one of the Royals of Real Madrid - for whom we're giving this press conference 'specially in a castle in Mainz. (This is true actually - they are in a fabulous room in the fabulously beautiful Electoral palace at Mainz!) When you're spoken of in your new club, Oliver Bierhoff has said it too - you shine. You're completely at ease, you've developed wonderfully over the past few months. How have these last weeks and months appeared to you?

Mesut: Naturally I'm happy, first of all to be there and I'm proud to be allowed to play for Real Madrid. Personally it's going very well but I've worked hard for that and...um...it's just fun for me to kick around with the team and one can see that when we are on the field.

Harald Stenger: You're a very creative footballer. You've said yourself it is fun for you to play, and now it's the case that - you are competitive in the league, the cup and the Champions League and pressure has been building up. But you've been having good experiences.

Mesut: In every way, my teammates support me and I get along well with all of them. But the most important thing is that the coach has given me his trust so I can play freely on the pitch - which I do - and with such world class players such as Cristiano Ronaldo and also Benzema - it's just a lot of fun - and with Sami Khedira too, of course - I just feel very good there.

Harald Stenger: Your questions for Mesut, please! Arne Richter -

Arne Richter: You've spoken of Sami Khedira - have you developed a closer relationship with him? With whom do you have the most contact at Real?

Mesut: Naturally, most of all with Sami Khedira, who I knew out of the Bundesliga. We get along really well and he supports me just as I support him (awwzil) and, I actually get along really well with all of them (such diplomacy!) but with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos - I do a bit more with them.

Jens Mende (Mesut is too shy to make eye-contact initially): - Over here! You've mentioned the stars with whom you play in the Champions League and in the Spanish League - very exciting games - now you're playing against Kazakhstan. How hard will it be for you personally to make this switch?

Mesut: Naturally the game on Saturday is very important for us. We want above all the 3 points and we'll give everything for that. Kazakhstan has nothing to lose and our aim is to play our game and to win it.

Mark Schmidt: It's often said that in Spain Real and Barcelona play and then there's a huge gap. What is your impression? Is the Spanish League really so uncompetitive? The Bundesliga more competitive? Which league is stronger over all in your opinion?

Mesut (gasping, literally, for a diplomatic answer!): Well, in the Spanish league, it just looks like that. Barcelona has a very strong team - just as we do - and there are many teams, like Sevilla, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid who can play at the highest level. At the moment it looks as though we win most games - just like Barcelona - and our goal is to get the title, of course. (When in doubt, ignore the question.)

Guenther Klein: Jose Mourinho, in the beginning, was critical of you and Sami Khedira over your integration and with the language difficulties. How intensively have you worked on your Spanish and how far along have you come? And a second question - Oliver Bierhoff believes that the Madrid fan base - the fans in Madrid - are ideal for you, a player who brings elegance to the team. Perhaps you could tell us your impression of the public/fans - are they overly critical, expert, threatening - when elegance doesn't suffice?

Mesut: First question - I'm there to learn the language. I understand a great deal but speaking is more difficult. Nevertheless I can talk to my teammates in the meantime and - second question - the fans are just world class and they support us and when I play in the Bernabeu I always get goose-pimply and it's just a lot of fun.

Fanboy Martin Roschetz: Sami Khedira has an enormous house with lots of space. Are you often with him? What is it like? Do family often visit? Do you see each other away from the pitch?

Mesut: Of course my family and friends visit very often and I'm never alone and I do a great deal with my fellow players - like Sami Khedira and Sergio Ramos and sometimes they visit me or I visit them or we go out together to have a drink or to eat together and...yes. (At long last! Official confirmation that Jenny's intuition is never wrong about these things!)

Fanboy Martin Roschetz: But in Madrid you are known everywhere and you can't just go out - it's rather difficult...isn't that the case?

Mesut: They leave us in peace. Naturally when they want photographs or autographs we do it gladly but they are usually rather shy

Michael with the incomprehensible last name: Can you explain how you've continued to develop? There have been many National Team players who have not managed to develop further - they've had difficulties since the World Cup and next month Real Madrid will play against FC Barcelona twice if both teams make the semi-finals - possibly four times. How do you regard this duel and are you aware of it now even though there are two or three weeks to go? How is Real Madrid going to manage this?

Mesut (swallowing, hugely): Naturally I did first of all make the switch to Real Madrid to develop myself further and, naturally, to play successfully and to win titles. We are on the best path and - yes - against Barcelona it will naturally be difficult games because their team is really very strong but I am convinced we can beat them. In the Champions League we first have to play Tottenham, we have to get to the next round just like they do - and our task is to look to ourselves, to worry about our games and I am convinced that when we meet Barcelona we will be able to beat them.

Reporter without Microphone asks something about his personal development.

Mesut: Naturally on the field I always give 100% effort and I want to make my game and help the team - that's my goal on the field. I've become a calmer player - also in front of goal - I've become more goal-dangerous (Torgefährlicher) and I do alot of individual training, strength training and that helps me, at any rate.

Arne Richter: We've heard that you have a special clause - if you become world footballer - do you see yourself in this position in coming years? Also, there's a strike in Spain today. Are you so integrated that you can comment on it or has it passed you by?

Mesut: Naturally, my goal is to become one of the best players in the world. I do everything for that, work hard and I am on a good path and, as I've said I get along well with my teammates, I can talk to them - in English, Spanish or a bit of sign-language we understand each other very well and we have lots of fun together and you can see that on the field.

Harald Stenger (whispering to Mesut): There was also a question about a strike...

Mesut: A strike?

Harald Stenger:...if you could comment on it.

Mesut: I don't know.

Harald Stenger: All right - he's not familiar...

Fanboy Roschetz: You just told us that it is fun to play with such world-class players as Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo. Who has that role for you on the National Team - to whom will you prefer to make your deadly last pass - Miroslav Klose or Mario Gomez?

Mesut: Both players are world class for me and Mario Gomez is doing very well for Bayern Muenchen - he's scored a lot of goals, just like Miroslav Klose, who is so important to us and it is up to the coach who will be playing up front for us. I understand both very well and one can see that in practice and I'm happy, naturally, that I can play with both of them.

Gregor Unintelligible Last Name: Oezil, how often are you in contact with your colleagues in Bremen? Are you concerned?

Mesut: No, not at all. They have lots of quality in the team. They won their last game - which made me happy, naturally - the team is going to manage this...I'm still in contact with a few of the players.

Reporter with an unintelligible first AND last name: You are very successful in Spain. We all read about it. How aware are you of what's going on here with the coach-carousel (the Bundesliga coaching situation has become comical in recent weeks, with several coaches being sacked and replaced).

Mesut (cue the sexy and adorable sigh before the adorably diplomatic answer): I don't really pay that much attention to the media. I concentrate on my football and on the language - which doesn't leave me much time. But that's how it is. When things aren't going well the coach is always the first to be punished and...I can't really add anything to that.

Frank Negler: To be a German National Team Player is something special, but to be a German National Team Player at Real Madrid is something even more. Do you feel that from your colleagues - when you come back to the National Team - that you've gained some extra respect - more than before, perhaps?

Mesut: Respect has always been there and I get along well with everyone. Naturally I am so happy when I return to the National Team. I get along well with all of them and it is just so much fun to be here and of course I am so proud to be allowed to play for Germany.

Reporter: Just very briefly - your nickname in Madrid is "Nemo" - did you know that - is it true?

Mesut: Like you I only heard that through the media. (Oh no - and it was such a perfect nickname!)

The reporters laugh.

Reporter: In the past few weeks Joachim Loew and his team have extended their contracts. What do you think of this and what role has Joachim Loew played up until now in your development?

Mesut: Naturally I'm happy that he's extended his contract. He's very important to the team and he knows the team, and the individual players and we are happy, at any rate, that he has extended his contract.

Harald Stenger (whispering to Mesut to remind him of the second part of the question): And what role has he had in your personal development?

Mesut: So much. He gave me his trust, he's always supported me, he helped me grow and for all these things I'm very grateful.

Felix Mansel: When you first arrived at the National Team there were leading players - like Miroslav Klose - how have they helped you and what kind of relationship do you have with him - he's had 100 National Games.

Mesut: Naturally we talk a great deal. He always helps me - also on the pitch. We just get along very well and he is a world class player, as I said before, and we know what qualities he brings along and we are happy about that...um, yes...he can always help the team.

Reporter asks for a further question.

Mesut: at any rate, we talk and...um...(Mesut smiles his perfectly sweet, crooked, Nemo-like smile!)

Harald Stenger: Any more questions for Mesut? Well, thank you very much and we'll see each other later.

Nemo: At practice that day with the German National Team

Press Reviews & Notes

Oliver Bierhoff on Mesut Ozil:

Earlier in the press-conference, Oliver Bierhoff had said the following:

Harald Stenger: A question about Mesut Oezil - who will be joining the press conference shortly - could I ask you for a comment? Joachim Loew and Hansi Flick were at the Champions League match against Olympique Lyon in Madrid...

Oliver Bierhoff: About Mesut - I'm very happy. I think in Real Madrid he has found the club that suits his playing style and his mentality - just look at the pictures coming out of Spain and also on the Internet - the International press too. The happiness on his face - when one can see that he feels really good there - that is just lovely. It's also good to see the old mentality being disproven, what we've heard for years: that a young player shouldn't go abroad out of the German league. Young players from Brazil, Argentina, Portugal - they all go abroad and manage to impress. Now Mesut, and also Sami Khedira, have really impressed at a top International club like Real Madrid. That shows their maturity and their class and it showcases the qualities of German football and that makes me personally very happy. Mesut's development, at such a club, where he works with a top coach and trains with the best, where he can play a long way in the Champions League - his development proceeds apace (with greater speed) because of that. And the public - the Madrid based-public (Koeniglichen - "Royal Public") - they really appreciate players like Mesut who is wonderful to watch, who has a wonderful technique and a real vision for his teammates, and can make a pass with elegance - it really is a club that suits him...


From Mitteldeutsche Zeitung: Hymns to Nemo

Mainz. The clown fish is a genus of anemone - looking around his living space with prominent eyes...and called 'Nemo' - a small, sweet, nimble thing - and a name the fans of Real Madrid have given to their new favourite Mesut Oezil. 'I also read that's what they me," says the German national team soccer player, and smiles.

He looks so shy and blameless in his chair in the Electoral Palace in Mainz - you'd like to take him in your arms. Mesut's lightening quick ascent into the class of the world is one of the beautiful stories of German football...

They may be singing his praises, but Mesut Oezil seems quite unchanged. Questions embarass him, answers are dutifully recited. Because he is friendly he answers questions on his new life in Madrid. 'My family and friends visit often. I'm never alone. I have the most contact with Sami Khedira. I get along well with Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo. I can understand Spanish now, but it's harder to speak it. When it doesn't work, I use sign-language.'

Source

From Badische Zeitung: No friend to public relations: Mesut Oezil

He seems so uncertain at the podium of the Electoral Palace in Mainz - like a school-boy who is standing in front of his math teacher at the chalk board to solve a devilish equation. His discomfort is obvious, as he moves his glance to the ground or to the left - silently appealing for help from Harald Stenger, spokesman of the German National Team.

The flood of superlatives and homage can't chance the fact that the 22 year-old perceives press-conferences as a necessary evil. His genius on the pitch is as obvious as his answers are awkward.

Only once does Oezil betray emotion - when he can talk about what he does best at Real Madrid. His eyes light up: "It's just fun to kick around with the team."

Source


From RP Online: Hand in Hand with Ozil on the Pitch

(Meanwhile, the children belonging to a small football academy who will be allowed to lead the players into the pitch have been interviewed in Moenchengladbach in a very cute article.)

"On Tuesday...eleven lucky kids will fulfil a dream when they walk hand in hand with their idols."

The article notes that some of the children are a little conflicted: "'My Biology teacher wants Mats Hummels autograph' says one child. How he'll manage it is a mystery and actually, he'd greatly prefer to take Mesut Oezil onto the pitch."

"...The midfield star, who is playing for Real Madrid this season also rates very high for Sven on his favourites list. 'Oezil is my favourite player on the National team," explains the son of coach Witt. And aside from the National Team? 'Raul,' comes the answer - without hesitation, like a pistol shot. But he's not a Schalke fan. Borussia? Also false. 'I love Werder Bremen the best," confides the child - against the wishes of his father!"*

Source

________________________________
**If the father is upset, I'll adopt this flawless child. Raul? Mesut Oezil? Welcome home kid. Inquiries to jenny_jenkins at Live Journal.



From the Frankfurter Rundschau

(Teasing Mesut gently about his favourite word!)

Wednesday gave Mesut Oezil a chance to bring out his favourite word: it is, of course, 'natuerlich.' Oezil says he is 'naturally proud' that he is allowed to play for Real Madrid. He explains that he is 'naturally there' to learn Spanish. Finally he is 'naturally, gone to Real Madrid' to continue to develop - in every way. He is 'naturally, happy' that Joachim Loew has extended his contract as National Coach until 2014. And, oh yes, the European Qualification Match against Kazakhstan is 'naturally, very important' and they want to 'naturally, get' the three points.

After the World Cup - Continually Better and Better

"Oezil may be a conductor, but he doesn't produce the best phrasing (ie., he is not eloquent and speaks rather clumsily). Unimportant. He doesn't have to say anything. His playing speaks for him. He has impressed, as a matter of course, the teams of Germany and Real Madrid. In Germany you used to have to be 27 or 28 before anyone ranked you with the best."

Source

Against Kazakhstan later in the week.

.

Comments

Goose-pimples

[suzanne410.livejournal.com]

The thought of Mesut getting "goose-pimply" and saying "goose-pimply" is getting me all goose-pimply! I just love his interviews, and thank you for this blast from the past (and of course the hours you so clearly put into it).

Re: Goose-pimples

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

It's a literal translation too!

One might also translate it as "I get the shivers..."

Really - anyway one thinks of it it is lovely - and liable to "unconflict" one, if I can put it like that ;)

Re: Goose-pimples

[suzanne410.livejournal.com]

I get the distinct feeling that you're never going to let me live this down.

Just know that TODAY... I hope Real Madrid turns those Apples into applesauce. ;)

Re: Goose-pimples

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

This site's principle aim at the moment is geared at getting you to that blissful, unconflicted fate I see in your future :P

I'm just trying to help!

<3

Re: Goose-pimples

[suzanne410.livejournal.com]

Well then, bring on the videos with children, angry Mesut gifs, and belly-bonus pics because there's still work to be done here!

[spainawards2008.livejournal.com]

Naturally, naturally, naturally I find it very cute that he hangs out with Cristiano and Sergio off the pitch.

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

You CANNOT imagine how cute the video was. I'm searching Youtube to try to find it!

He was such a ball of shuffling, smiling nerves. So sweet!

[4jinx-removing.livejournal.com]

Adorable! Thanks so much for translating. (:

[ozeille.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the post :) Your translations are so great! How did you learn English/German so good?

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

I am German, and I've lived in Canada for almost 30 years!

It was my pleasure :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[geniozil.livejournal.com]

Does he really say "naturally" that much?

[jenny-jenkins.livejournal.com]

YES

In practically EVERY SINGLE sentence.

It's adorable.

It translates more properly as "of course" but the words have the same meaning and I like to use "naturally" as a visual clue for those who can listen to him speak as they are reading one of my transcriptions.

[die4shin-sin.livejournal.com]

*guffaws*
It's very much unlikely that the reporters aren't fanboys/girls at all.

Inhumane sounds at:

Mesut: Naturally, most of all with Sami Khedira, who I knew out of the Bundesliga. We get along really well and he supports me just as I support him (awwzil) and, I actually get along really well with all of them (such diplomacy!) but with Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergio Ramos - I do a bit more with them.

Mesut: Of course my family and friends visit very often and I'm never alone and I do a great deal with my fellow players - like Sami Khedira and Sergio Ramos and sometimes they visit me or I visit them or we go out together to have a drink or to eat together and...yes.

Mesut: Both players are world class for me and Mario Gomez is doing very well for Bayern Muenchen - he's scored a lot of goals, just like Miroslav Klose, who is so important to us and it is up to the coach who will be playing up front for us. I understand both very well and one can see that in practice and I'm happy, naturally, that I can play with both of them.

Felix Mansel: When you first arrived at the National Team there were leading players - like Miroslav Klose - how have they helped you and what kind of relationship do you have with him - he's had 100 National Games.

Mesut: Naturally we talk a great deal. He always helps me - also on the pitch. We just get along very well and he is a world class player, as I said before, and we know what qualities he brings along and we are happy about that...um, yes...he can always help the team.

King of Bromance. He got the title alright though I don't even think that he fully understands what the fanboys reporters are implying.
I guess I should blame my Contemporary Literature teacher who makes me pays a great deal of attention on ellipsis and analogies. I'm making assumpstions right now. Oh God. Halp. Too many awwzil moments. Argh.

Lots of ♥♥♥, Jenny!