The 16-year-old Georgian football player Vato Murjikneli who plays for “BV 04 Dusseldorf” is called up for the Georgian U-17 team and will play in the name of Georgia in January.
First I learnt about him on one of the Georgian forums and when I contacted him I found out that Vato was trained by Bondo Kakubava in “Avaza”.
Vato plays such age clubs like “Borussia” Dortmund, “Gladbach”, “Bayern” Leverkusen, “Koln”, “Schalke” and others. He plays the best young players of Germany. These football players play for the German U-15, U-16 and U-17 teams. Unfortunately, not many Georgians play on this level. In the current season Vato played from start to finish in all matches and scored one goal. Here is an interesting interview with Vato.
- Vato, tell us about your first steps in football.
- Before leaving for Germany, I practiced in football school “Avaza” where Bondo Kakubava was my coach. I can say only good things about him. He was an honest man and a real professional. I have practiced with him from the age of 9. After three years I left Georgia and went to Germany.
- It is a positive step to depart for Germany at your age. How has your career developed since then?
- When I arrived in Germany, I was in the uncertain situation but I was lucky. One day I practiced on the stadium with my father. Manager of the stadium came up to me and asked if I played somewhere. When he found out that I was without a club, he invited me to “Eller” on tests.
- How were the tests held?
- Good. After the first practice I was taken to the team. I played with the players of my age but then, I joined the elders. Then, I changed the club and transferred to “Unterach”.
- How easy is it to change the club? Are there some obstacles?
- When I came to “Eller”, I was waiting for the football passport for 3 months. It is for participating in the official matches. While changing the club you need consent from the former club. Otherwise, you are reserved for three months and you do not have a right to play.
- You were moving ahead. It was time to transfer to stronger club. What has happened then?
- After the last season in “Unterach”, Mohamed Rifi invited me to “BV Dusseldorf”. There were a lot of players on the tests but Rifi was satisfied with me and I transferred to “BV Dusseldorf”.
- U-17 “BV Dusseldorf” plays at the best championship. Perhaps, scouts observe the matches. Were not other clubs interested in you?
- “Borussia” Monchengladbach was interested in me. The coach of “Gladbach” talked to me and said the club was interested in me.
I was not satisfied with my play against “Gladbach” but the newspaper published my picture and wrote I was an efficient.
- How do you compare the practices of Bondo Kakubava to the practices of the team where you are now?
- Bondo Kakubava made more on technique and Mohamed Rifi – on tactic. We work on tactic a lot.
- Do you have theoretical classes?
- No, we do everything while the practice.
- The football players of the German age teams play for U-17 Bundesliga. Who is your favorite player?
- My favorite is David Putz, captain of “Bayern” Leverkusen and the Georgian U-17 team. He is a great talent and he can play great football.
- Do you attend the Bundesliga matches?
- When I have time, I attend. At first I attend home match of “Fortuna” Dusseldorf and I liked the atmosphere on the stadium. I like how fans support their favorite club.
- What is the situation for the football player in Germany? Does playing football prevent you from studying?
- No. The coach tells us to study hard.
- Have the coaches of the Georgian age teams got interested in you?
- Two weeks ago I received an invitation from the Georgian U-17 team. I will join the Georgians in Minsk at the end of January. At first they contacted my manager Giorgi Elizbarashvili who is a former football player and played in Germany. Then, they contacted me and sent me the letter. I will depart for Minsk for sure.
- What did the head coach tell you when he learnt about this news?
- He was happy. He understands it is a great chance for me to gain more experience. Besides this, playing for the national team is my duty and it makes me happy.
- What do you think about the Georgian football? Perhaps, you watch the matches of the national team.
- I try to watch important events. I often watch the matches of the national team. We have many good players. They can play for European clubs. Most of them stay on the same level and do not develop. I do not know why it happens but it is a serious problem.
Dimitri Sharikadze
