Football players are overpaid. I admire the guys who do MMA, says football icon Pavel Nedvěd
A former football superstar and current CEO of the Czech national team lives alternately in the Czech Republic and Italy. Does he prefer company or solitude? Does he invest more in cryptocurrencies or real estate? And why does he prefer flying by private jet? We subjected him to these and other questions in our quick confession.
Pavel Nedvěd recently had a lively celebration, during which he celebrated in the locker room with Czech football representatives while his partner Dara Rolins's hit „Nebe, peklo, ráj“ played in the background. And it's no wonder, there was certainly something to celebrate.
Czechs are going to the World Cup
Yesterday, a match for qualification for this year's World Cup took place, in which the Czech Republic faced Denmark. For fans and the players themselves, it was undoubtedly an intense experience.
The result of the match was uncertain until almost the very last moment. Neither side gained an advantage, leaving the fans in suspense the entire time. The match ended in a 1:1 draw. Two overtimes followed, which also ended in a draw at 2:2. It was still unclear whether we would manage to secure a spot in the World Cup.
And so it went to penalties. In those, the Czech players had a clear advantage. While the opponent scored one goal, our team shouted "goal!" three times. The decisive goal was scored by Michal Sadílek.
For Czech football, it's great news and a really big deal because it's the first participation in the World Cup since 2006.
"The guys approached it excellently, there was an outstanding team spirit here. From the beginning, we knew that our feeling was right. We put heart into it,"
commented the victory Pavel Nedvěd.
Astronomical Rewards
He brought a new coach to the Czech national football team, Miroslav Koubek, a former goalkeeper who in recent years acted as the head coach of the team FC Viktoria Plzeň. And as it seems, this step was correct and is bearing fruit.
Advancement also means an astronomical payout from the FIFA organization. For advancing from the group stage, they pay the equivalent of 270 million crowns. For making it to the top four teams, the reward reaches 700 million crowns. And what if we won this year's championship? The Czech national football team would earn up to one billion crowns besides world fame and prestige.
For the players themselves, this means an opportunity to earn generous bonuses. For instance, Pavel Nedvěd received a bonus of 7.5 million crowns after the World Cup in 2004. The goalkeeper Petr Čech received the same amount as a bonus at that time. The then-coach of the national football team, Karel Brückner, received up to 15 million crowns.
The World Championship will take place in two months in Mexico, Canada, and the USA.
Charity
Recently, with his partner Dara Rolins, they supported charity by presenting a cough assist device to the pediatric department at the Bulovka University Hospital in Prague through the Naše Plíce foundation. View here.
During the presentation, he expressed support for doctors, stating that their work is not sufficiently paid. It was on this occasion that we conducted a short interview with him.
Talent or hard work?
Hard work. I think everyone has talent, but hard work without that talent means nothing at all.
Win or really enjoy it?
Win. I like winning and I think victory is that goal for everyone.
Risk brings reward, or bet on certainty?
I'm the type who doesn't take many risks, but of course, certainty without some risk and victory without risk probably doesn't exist.
Listen to the coach, or go with your instinct?
Listen to the coach. I've always been a meticulous type who listened to coaches.
Saudi Arabia, or Italy?
Definitely Italy.
Private jet, or first class on a regular flight?
I prefer a private jet because it gives you the feeling that you can come at any time and fly at any hour, which I think is convenient.
Solitude or company?
About 50-50. I like being alone, but I also enjoy company, so I think there are moments meant for solitude and others for friends.
Are footballers overpaid? Yes or no?
Yes.
Be respected in management or in the locker room?
That's a tough question. I think you earn respect through your work. You can't have respect without setting an example.
Strictness on others, or on oneself?
I have always been strict with myself, and over the years of doing this job, I had to learn to be strict with others.
Investment in cryptocurrencies, or real estate?
Absolutely real estate.
Hardness, or elegance?
Elegance. I like elegance, even though I know I don't have much of it, but I would like to have it.
Control, or freedom?
Freedom. Freedom is the most important.
Should MMA be in the Olympics? Yes, or no?
I admire those guys because I could never do it myself. I know it's a highly watched sport today, so why not.
And what would you ask me?
How are you today?
I'm good, thank you.
Source: own inquiry, Sporty živě, Super.cz
