Neven Subotic Interview - PUMA & Borussia Dortmund

Neven Subotic Interview - PUMA & Borussia Dortmund

Neven Subotic is one of the most talented young defenders in Europe, and has already won back-to-back Bundesliga titles. He's already been linked with the likes of Manchester United, but for now he's a Borussia Dortmund player and at the recent BVB kit launch SoccerBible got the chance to chat with the highly rated defender...

You're a PUMA player, this is the first season for Dortmund with PUMA, what do you think of the new kit? Neven Subotic: I really like the kit, especially because it features a really classic design. It feels good on the skin, and I am looking forward to wearing it on pitch from now on. Is the look, fit and feel important to the players on the pitch? NS:It is very important, because we have to feel comfortable in the kit. If you sweat for example, it is important that the heat and moist is being transferred. Also the fit is really important in my opinion. I personally prefer tighter shirts and I am happy that the new PUMA shirt is a lot tighter than the shirts we had in the past. Is it important to connect the players with the fans through the shirt?

NS: Yes, absolutely. I also find it quite important that the shirt is rather simple than striking, so the club can stay in the focus instead of a crazy design. As long as it features the logo and the club colours, the fans are happy and thus the kit is a great connection between them and their club.

How did you feel the first time you saw someone wearing a shirt with your name on the back?

NS: I don t really remember the specific situation, but anyway I still feel extremely proud whenever I see it. There are hundreds of professional football players out there and if people choose my name to be on their back, that is a great honour.

 

What do you think of the new PUMA evoSPEED football boots?

 

NS: I like them a lot, because in general I prefer white football boots, although the recent trend goes much more towards colorful boots. Also the boot feels extremely light when I wear it on pitch, which is great.

 

Do you choose the leather or synthetic upper?

NS: In the case of the evoSPEED I haven t really decided yet, so at the moment I still wear both, leather and synthetic. I currently still test them and will decide eventually.

Have you kept any of the boots you've worn in your career, and do you have a favourite pair?

NS: Yes, every now and then I keep them. The last pair I kept were the shoes I wore when we won the Bundesliga championship in 2011. I keep them together with the shirt from back then in a glass cabinet.

Do you speak to your international team-mates in England Branislav Ivanovic and Aleksandar Kolarov?

NS: Only every now and then. Of course it is nice to meet them when we play together in the national team, but of the national team I mainly speak to my best mate Zdravko Kuzmanovic, who plays for Stuttgart.

Do you think one day you might also play in the Premier League?

NS: In general I d say never say never. But at the moment I'm not considering it.

Who is your favourite defender in world football? NS: During the last couple of years it was always John Terry, who really impressed me by his performance on pitch. His attitude in a match is amazing, he seems to be so hungry for the ball and it is great fun to watch him. It is impressive, especially because he is not the tallest, but he still fights for every ball and often even wins in header duels against taller opponents. Another great defender is Nemanja Vidic, with whom I often played already in the national team. Who was your sporting idol growing up? NS: I always looked up to Krassimir Balacov. I grew up closely to Stuttgart, where he played back then and after I watched a match once live in the stadium, I was a huge fan. Are you confident or defending your Bundesliga title?

NS: That is a very tough question to be answered, because as of now I don t know exactly how good we really are. We only started the preparation for the next season today, and also I don t know how strong the other teams will be. But we will concentrate on what we are good at and we hope to play another good season in the Bundesliga and to make it through the group stage of the Champions League.

Neven Subotic is a highly-rated defender, and being a PUMA player at a PUMA club is a lead asset for the German sportwear giant. You can take a full look at the launch event for the new BVB 2012/13 football kits, and don't forget to leave your opinions on Neven, Dortmund and PUMA online, on Twitter and on Facebook.