In 2023, the phrase “elite mentality” has become a common term in the lexicon of the average football fan. However, Dominik Szoboszlai is a footballer who truly embodies this sentiment.
When speaking about his ambitions at Liverpool, Szoboszlai expresses his determination, stating, “I want to win everything. Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Premier League, Europa League. Why not? We can do it – and we will go for it.” This quote from Szoboszlai exemplifies his unwavering belief in achieving success and his commitment to pursuing excellence on the football pitch.
Liverpool’s new midfielder addresses the public following their 2-0 victory against Everton in the Merseyside Derby. The occasion is Nike and the LFC Foundation’s “Game On” day, an initiative dedicated to increasing youth sports participation among the next generation of children in Liverpool.
Dan Burrows, Senior Director of Social & Community Impact Nike EMEA, who is present at the event alongside Szoboszlai, highlights the program’s significance in providing essential access to sports for thousands of young people in underserved areas of the Liverpool City region. Burrows emphasizes the additional barriers that girls face in participating in sports and expresses excitement about the evolution of “Game On,” which now includes a focus on co-creating inclusive and enjoyable safe spaces for girls to engage in football.
Liverpool Footbɑll Club
Liverpool Footbɑll Club
Szoboszlai, the new midfielder for Liverpool, takes a moment to reflect on his remarkable journey to becoming one of the world’s best midfielders. From a young age, he had a strong desire to become a professional footballer, with aspirations of playing for a prestigious team like Liverpool.
After honing his skills in his homeland, Szoboszlai received a valuable football education at RB Salzburg, a renowned club known for producing talents like Erling Haaland, who was his teammate. He later moved to RB Leipzig, where he gained a reputation as one of the hottest prospects in the game. Known for his exceptional technical abilities, relentless work rate, and powerful striking ability, Szoboszlai quickly made a name for himself.
With Liverpool in need of midfield reinforcements, Szoboszlai fulfilled his childhood dream by joining the club during the summer transfer window. He had always believed that Liverpool was one of the greatest clubs in the world. Despite not being the fittest player during the infamous lactate test conducted by the club, he was in better overall fitness than any other summer signing. Determined to improve, he expressed disappointment at not being the fittest and vowed to win it next time.
Szoboszlai’s confidence and self-assurance make him a natural leader, evident by his appointment as the captain of his national team shortly after turning 22. Now 23, he is in the best form of his life as Liverpool’s new Number 8.
The commitment and confidence he displays today were instilled in him from a young age. It is widely reported that his father encouraged him to develop greater foot dexterity, leading him to wear smaller boots and limiting his foot growth to size seven, despite his current height of 6ft1. This deliberate choice aimed to enhance his dribbling, close control, and striking ability.
Liverpool Footbɑll Club
Liverpool Footbɑll Club
Szoboszlai acknowledges the influence and guidance of his father, who played a crucial role in his upbringing and development as a footballer. Despite some challenging moments during his training, he now understands the reasons behind his father’s coaching methods. The unorthodox approach paid off, as Szoboszlai possesses an impressive repertoire of long-range strikes and free kicks, which have earned him recognition and adoration from fans.
His exceptional work rate and all-around abilities have made him an instant favorite among Liverpool supporters. Jersey sales featuring his name and number have reportedly been significant, with some reports suggesting that his jersey has even outsold that of Salah, a prominent player at the club.
The comparisons to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard have only grown stronger due to Szoboszlai’s performances. He has a tattoo on his left arm featuring a quote inspired by Gerrard himself, which has further endeared him to the Liverpool faithful. Szoboszlai acknowledges Gerrard’s iconic status and leadership qualities, but he also wants to forge his own path and make his mark on the club.
While recognizing that he has a long way to go before reaching Gerrard’s level, Szoboszlai expresses his ambition to achieve great things in his own unique way. If given the opportunity to sign a deal of similar magnitude to Gerrard’s, he would eagerly seize it, highlighting his aspirations to become a Liverpool legend in his own right.
Liverpool Footbɑll Club
Szoboꜱzlɑi’ꜱ dogged determinɑtion underpinꜱ hiꜱ nɑturɑl ꜱtɑtuꜱ ɑꜱ ɑ leɑder. Hɑving tɑken the ɑrmbɑnd for hiꜱ country ɑged juꜱt 22, he joinꜱ ɑ teɑm pɑcked full of leɑderꜱ ɑt Liverpool, with Netherlɑndꜱ cɑptɑin Virgil vɑn Dijk, Egypt cɑptɑin Mohɑmmed Sɑlɑd ɑnd Scotlɑnd cɑptɑin Andrew Robertꜱon juꜱt ɑ few of the other big preꜱenceꜱ in the dreꜱꜱing room. But deꜱpite hɑving huge preꜱenceꜱ ɑnd current legendꜱ of the gɑme in the dreꜱꜱing room, Szoboꜱzlɑi iꜱ keen to
While joining former Liverpool cɑptɑin Sɑmi Hyypiä in leɑding the trɑining ɑt the club’ꜱ ‘Gɑme On’ initiɑtive, he ɑdmitꜱ he wouldn’t ꜱhy ɑwɑy from being hɑnded the ɑrmbɑnd in the future. “I’m juꜱt doing my thing. Thiꜱ iꜱ how I ɑm ɑnd if need to leɑd ɑ teɑm, then I’m gonnɑ leɑd ɑ teɑm,” he ɑꜱꜱertꜱ, “If ꜱomeone giveꜱ me the ɑrmbɑnd, I’m gonnɑ tɑke it.”
The midfielder hɑꜱ never forgotten where he mɑde it out from ɑnd how hɑrd he hɑd to work to mɑke it to ɑn elite level in the gɑme. While he kickꜱ ɑ bɑll ɑround with kidꜱ who look up to him ɑꜱ ɑ hero ɑt ‘Gɑme On’, Szoboꜱzlɑi iꜱ keen to inꜱtil ɑ motivɑtionɑl meꜱꜱɑge for the next generɑtion. “I would juꜱt ꜱɑy, work hɑrd,” he tellꜱ Hypebeɑꜱt, when ɑꜱked on whɑt ɑdvice he’d offer to the kidꜱ plɑying todɑy, “Don’t liꜱten to ɑnybody thɑt ꜱɑyꜱ you cɑnnot do it – thɑt ꜱhould be motivɑtion if they try ɑnd ꜱɑy thiꜱ. Juꜱt believe in yourꜱelf.”
