Oblak
Atletico Madrid shot-stopper Jan Oblak has said playing at the World Cup or Euro would fulfill his childhood dream.
The FIFA goalkeeper of the year nominee who has always wanted to be in goal since childhood said this during a chat with FIFA.com
“As a child I practiced many different sports, but football was always my priority. My father played, though not as a pro, and he too was a goalkeeper. So, I imitated him because I wanted to be like him. That’s why I wanted to be a keeper from a young age. Initially, I played up front for a few games, but I always wanted to be in goal.” he said.
He named top goalkeepers like Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas, Peter Schmeichel and Dida as goalkeepers he admired at varying time as a child but said his father was his first idol.
Oblak represents his homecountry Slovenia international. When asked what it would mean to play at international tournaments with his country, he described it’d be a childhood dream come true.
“When I was a boy, I saw Slovenia qualify for EURO 2000 and then the 2002 World Cup. We later reached the 2010 edition too. Having seen how happy people were, I’d love to bring that joy back to the country – and not just for them. For me, playing at a World Cup or EURO would be the fulfilment of a childhood dream, so I’m going to do everything I can to achieve it.”
Oblak is enjoying a fine start to the La Liga season with Atletico Madrid and has conceded just two goals in 10 games. He faces competition from Manuel Neuer and Alisson Becker for the FIFA Best goalkeeper of the year award.