Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfield maestro Xabi Alonso is not your typical footballer. While many players are happy enough to use a translator or even a team-mate to help conduct their interviews, Alonso is a man who relishes the opportunity to learn a new language and immerse himself in the culture of his new home.
After just two months of taking German lessons three times a week, Xabi Alonso has conducted his first interview fully in the native tongue of the Bundesliga. Obviously this interview is only in German, but it's less about that and more about what a legend Mr.Xabi Alonso is.
Also calmly explains the differences between the Bundesliga and La Liga, as he claims the German game is much faster and more physical, and when asked about his new ability to converse in German, he says that three lessons a week over the last two months have got him up to an acceptable level.
When you compare that to other footballers, such as Manchester United's Anderson, for example, who still can't speak English despite living and working in the country since 2007, then you begin to see how Xabi is different.
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And don't even get us started on his range of passing...
Xabi Alonso: Cool customer, great footballer, linguistic acrobat.
via FC Bayern Munchen on YouTube.
