Crinkly Ears

Appearances - Stats & Statistics

Mesut has overtaken Bodo Illgner (1996-2001; 2 Championships, 2 Champions Leagues) as the German with the second-highest number of official appearances with Real Madrid at 119 against Zaragoza! Some of you will remember that it was because of his shoulder injury that Iker Casillas became Madrid's #1.

To get to #1 he has to overtake Uli Stielike (1977-1985; 3 championships, 1 UEFA cup) - crinkly_ears is rooting for you darling!



For Germany fans: Uli Stielike was a runner-up in '82 and won the 1980 Euros with Germany. Bodo Illgner won the World Cup in 1990 with the only clean-sheet in World Cup history. I am sure these are goals we all hope the boy with the upside-down-ears will manage with Germany!

Illgner is an affectionate observer of the Mesuty phenomenon and was even asked about him this past hour in Sport1's write-up of Mesut's press-conference (more on that below). Even before he became a presenter (next to Ray Hudson) on Bein sport, he was often asked to comment on Mesut at Madrid by the German press. His verdict: Mesut's on-the-pitch personality could use some work (he should be more demanding of his teammates, particularly at Madrid), but he's a stout admirer of the boy on the pitch and "not just because I'm German" as he told Phil Shoen during the commentary done for the last clasico. He also laughed, suitably loudly, when Ray Hudson said: "I don't think May'sooht knows how to foul..."

( More Mesuty Goodness + Press Conference... )

But first he spent the early part of the game looking bug-eyed and adorable on the bench, his hands, as always tucked ever-so-carefully into his sleeves.


( Read more... )


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