Transcription
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Sports Cube. I am Drilon Xhebullari, and from now on, we will be together to conduct a special interview with footballer Erald Maksuti, who is taking a big step in his career by moving from Flamurtari of Vlora to the Russian football championship, signing a four-year contract with the team of Akhmat Grozny. Eral, greetings.
>> Greetings.
>> Congratulations on this important transfer. Flamurtari earned a full €700,000, while you signed a four-year contract with a team where many Albanian footballers have played. How was the presentation and the first impressions you got during the presentation with the new management and the name of this team, which is indeed important in Russia?
>> Uh, then, greetings. It is my pleasure to be here with you today. Uh, then, the new team, we had been talking for some time to find an agreement because you know yourself that they have a good impression of Albanian players. It was a meeting that lasted some time, there were some contacts beforehand to reach this agreement, and finally, we reached the finalization, and I am very pleased with this.
>> I know there were other offers in your direction, yet you chose Grozny. Why this choice?
>> Uh, it's true, I had some offers, but the project convinced me, and I believe it is a championship that can also suit me, and as I said before, they really like Albanians, and this pushed me more to continue with Grozny.
>> Uh, I have information that you also have some special clauses in the contract you signed. Firstly, the fact that you signed for four years shows that the Russian club trusts you a lot. However, there is a clause that you must play at least 20 matches per season.
>> Uh, the clause to play 20 matches per season is not accurate, but I have a guarantee of minutes.
>> It is based on minutes. But in the meantime, regarding the financial aspect, how has your contract changed after that adventure and Flamurtari?
>> Uh, it has changed quite a bit. The salary is now more satisfactory.
>> It is undoubtedly more satisfactory because I have the impression that you have also discussed with other footballers who have played in Russia, specifically with this team there, like Çaka, who is part of the red and blacks. I don't know. Have you had any conversations, perhaps with Balaj? Berisha was recently there.
>> Uh, I haven't had contact with Çaka specifically because, as I told you, we were dealing with the contract, as well as medical visits, there were many trips, and I didn't manage to communicate with him. But I received advice from Odise Roshi. He told me a few things, and so we decided.
>> Was it an easy choice for you?
>> Uh, the choice became easier because, as I said, I had more offers, but then with consultations with the manager, with the team, we decided to go there.
>> Why did you choose Grozny?
>> Uh, the financial reason, because due to the suspension by FIFA, UEFA, they are not playing in European competitions, while you also had other proposals. What convinced you to accept this proposal, this offer?
>> Then, as I told you, it was a project that I believed in. I also had that guarantee of minutes, in addition to finances, and I also believe I made the best choice.
>> How do the contracts vary there? I know that minimally they are paid €400,000-500,000 per year.
>> I have decided to keep that a secret. But yes, it is satisfactory.
>> This is important. However, at this moment, the most important thing is to have minutes to play and perform greatly because there are very high expectations. Today, even Bushi spoke at the conference precisely about your move, appreciating you, and you are a player who is also ready for the national team. Uh, how do you see the national team, the changes in the technical staff, how will they influence?
>> Uh, I highly appreciate these words. Wherever I am called, whether it's U21 or the national team, it is a dream for every footballer to represent his country. I believe these give me an extra push to work and give my maximum, both with U21 and if a call-up from the national team ever comes.
>> Uh, with U21, you have two important friendlies against Slovenia and Italy. What do we expect from these challenges?
>> Then, we call them friendlies because everyone knows we don't have official qualifying matches, but for us, every match is like a final. So, we will prepare well because a big competition awaits us, and we need to prepare to move forward.
>> Uh, you haven't yet experienced the taste of scoring with the U21s. Do you think these two friendlies will be the moment to put the ball in the net?
>> I hope to score, but as I said, I want us to grow as a team, to win matches, and that is more important.
>> You have played in several positions on the field, left wing, right wing, but you also play in the center and feel better there. But in fact, what is your ideal role where you give your best?
>> I have always said that I am a center forward, but I have decided that wherever the team needs me, I will be utilized. So, I have done well at Flamurtari, both on the wing and in the center, but as you know, my primary role is center forward. Uh, how was the season with Flamurtari in terms of personal performance, I believe it was excellent. 12 goals, three assists. Did you expect these figures, because in a conversation we had a while ago, I told you that you would surpass the 10-goal mark, you would reach 12.
>> It's true, as I said, it was difficult, and at the moment we had that conversation together, I didn't expect to have this breakthrough, but I expect more from myself, and this is not enough. So, I will try to do more, but I am also satisfied with what I have done. You had a touching post for Flamurtari, for what you went through, for the fact that the team did not achieve its objective. Was it felt badly in Vlora?
>> To tell you the truth, as much as I lived in Vlora, the fans are the same as the Shkodra fans; they experience it a lot and love their city's team very much. So, regret for us footballers as well, that we did not achieve our objective. Everyone knows it was bad. Meaning, both the fans and the footballers, but football sometimes has these things. The main thing is to find the impetus to continue once again where they were.
>> Uh, meanwhile, in the championship, there was also a strong race for the Final Four. Your Vllaznia, which I believe you hold dear, even though you didn't get to play with the first team, fought hard for the title but is not where it should be, and everything will be decided in the last match. Nevertheless, what do we expect, how do you see this race? It seems like Egnatia has the advantage, then Elbasani, and then Vllaznia, which is waiting for others.
>> Now, the championship is in Egnatia's hands. As everyone knows, they only need one victory to become champions. Expectations were high for Vllaznia, especially for the people of Shkodra, because I am also from Shkodra, and I felt that Vllaznia should win because it has been many years since they experienced it, but it is difficult. They have one more match. I believe, God willing, they will win, but it will be difficult because they will have a strong opponent in Elbasani.
>> Uh, let's move a bit to what you do off the green field, because training, preparation with the team, but also individual work is very important. How is your day now at the end of the season? Because now we have taken an early break, we might have had some rest time, but individually, I like to work, so I have never stopped. I always spend my day thinking about football, training, watching a match when there is one. So, this is my day.
>> Who inspires you? Which striker do you watch, watch videos on YouTube, observe his movements, who has inspired you and inspires you to reach higher levels?
>> Now, I don't have a specific striker, but there are many good strikers. I watch them all. I try to copy them as much as possible, but what I like more, I can say is the grit of Griezmann, who is also at Paris.
>> However, I have the impression that with your qualities, perhaps more than anything, you have a great physique. Ronaldo had a lot of flair, I'm talking about the phenomenon.
>> Or Haaland, who is at Manchester.
>> Uh, what objective have you set for yourself? What is the dream in the drawer that you will realize?
>> The primary dream, as I said before, is to wear the national team jersey once. Not just once, but to be a protagonist.
>> Yes.
>> In fact, there have been many positive comments about your entire season from Kreshnik Çipi, Vasil Uruçi, other respected names in Albanian football, not just Vlora's. Uh, what do these comments mean to you?
>> They are an appreciation for me. Normally, receiving appreciation from great legends who have played for Flamurtari and made a great name for that jersey, as well as for the national team. I feel privileged to say this here, and this gives me the impetus to continue further. The agreement with your manager, Qor Mehmeti, how was it, how did this collaboration begin, what does he advise you, because the aspect of advice off the field is also very important.
>> Sh Mehmeti, then, we met, we talked, meaning before December, something like that, and he knew my qualities, he also believed in me so much. He advises me to always be myself, to work with my feet on the ground, so as not to get too big-headed, and naturally, working with him has been a great professionalism. He has helped me a lot, and he also gives me advice on what I should do and feel comfortable. Meaning.
>> In fact, Shkodra also has a beautiful saying: "Don't let yourself get carried away." This is from this saying that one should start.
>> Uh, yes, from family members, who do you stay close to, who do you talk to about football, who advises you?
>> My father. My father has always been closest to me since I was a child. He gave me the impetus to continue and still continues to support me in every stadium, meaning he has been like that, so he is the one I look up to.
>> An important European league. Do you have a priority that you think about, saying one day I would really like to play, perhaps Serie A, Germany.
>> To tell you the truth, I think and hope to continue in the top European leagues, but Serie A suits me. Meaning, I know Italian football, but why not the Bundesliga as well.
>> I ask about Italy because you played with the youth teams there, did you have an experience or not?
>> Yes, for this reason, I also know Italian football and feel good playing there.
>> It was a difficult period, a sacrifice for you, at a young age, when you were young, you went to Italy, you stayed for several years. What did you learn from this experience?
>> It was a great sacrifice because to take the road at the age of 15, 16, was difficult, and also the pandemic part that blocked everything, being almost six months without leaving the house, without touching the ball, and it was very difficult. Therefore, we can say it was the best choice to return to Albania. I recovered and am where I am today.
>> Meanwhile, how is the relationship with your teammates in the U21 national team? Who do you stay closest to? What does coach Bushi tell you? A former national team striker, with great experience abroad.
>> Uh, the harmony is very good. This is the most important thing we have in the U21 national team. We get along very well. We have guys who play in the Super League, with whom we get along very well. Also, the others who come from abroad are very good guys. Then, for coach Bushi, we try to follow his path a bit because he was a good goalscorer, and also the second-best goalscorer for the national team, so we have to learn from him.
>> Without a doubt. Meanwhile, have you set any objectives for yourself for the coming season with the new team in Grozny?
>> My new objective is to break the goal record I had this season.
>> I really hope you achieve it, and I believe that with the dedication and discipline you have shown even in the top league, you will achieve your goal and go as far as possible. We will see you in the national team jersey and scoring important goals.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Erald Maksuti, it was a pleasure to have you on the program.
>> The pleasure was mine as well. Alright. We have reached the end of the Sports Cube for today, thanking you for your attention together. Goodbye.