Lothar Matthaus, former captain of the German national football team and “Bayern” Munich, who arrived in Georgia by the invitation of “Zedazeni” company, visited football club “Saburtalo” at 11:00 on Friday.

The managers, coaches and young players of “Saburtalo” greeted the famous Georgian football player. Matthaus gave autographs and took pictures with the children. Then, he held a press conference.

Lothar Matthaus: “Thank you for the invitation. I am very happy when I see young players with such happy faces. It is the future of the Georgian football. The Georgian companies must help football. We must do our best for the bright future of the children”.

- Do you remember your first visit in Tbilisi in 1979 when you played the Soviet team?

- It was in the 80s. A lot of things have happened in my life in the last 35 years and I do not remember everything. I did not know about Georgia then. I remember I played but I do not remember whether it was in 1979 or not. As I see Georgia loves sport. Sport needs support. Nothing happens without policy.

- How do you remember the 1999 UEFA Champions League final when you played for “Bayern” and lost to “Manchester United”?

- It is football. We were scored 2 goals in the last 4 minutes and we lost.

- Is the Georgian business sector going to invest more in the children’s sport?

Vasil Sulkhanishvili (director-general of “Zedazeni”): “Our company is ready to help the Georgian sport. Today we will hold a meeting in the Ministry of Sport and we will discuss this issue”.

Tariel Khechikashvili (president of football club “Saburtalo”): “We are working on the development project of football. I am a member of the state commission. We must provide companies with good proposals and they will invest in football”.

Lasha Tabagari