“I don’t usually do that. But in the sunshine it’s better than an ice bath in the locker room.” Jackson Irvine (29) explains how he cools down in the hotel pool after the training session.
He had completed almost all of this with the team. The slow approach was almost over on the fourth day of training. So everyday life has him back. The special holiday after the World Cup is over.
Relegation battle with St. Pauli instead of Messi football with Australia.
Brazil legends betrayed Why Pele was so special
The international had a successful time in Qatar. “The moments on the pitch were incredible. I’m really proud of the performance at this level. We wanted to make history.” We succeeded. “Australia had a total of two World Cup victories. We got two during a tournament. It’s a special memory for us players.”
This also includes the end of the round of 16 against eventual world champion Argentina (1:2) with world footballer Lionel Messi (35). “It was a special moment to be on the pitch with him.”
But that didn’t count for 90 minutes. “At that moment you have to look at it like a normal game. He’s my hero,” reveals Irvine. “But if you think about it too much, it takes you off the path you want to play.”
And how were the direct duels? “It’s only after the final whistle that you realize you’re playing his game. All the time you do what he wants.”
Now it’s for Irvine in the gray everyday life to stay in the league. The changeover is not a problem. “It’s not difficult. The quality of players here is also high. Of course it’s a different feeling. But I know it. Four years ago, after the World Cup in Russia, it was the same.”
Irvine still sees his future at the Millerntor. He just renewed his contract. “I was really content and happy in my career. But nowhere have I felt more at home than here. And I’m playing the best football of my career right now.”
St. Pauli should also benefit from this in the fight for relegation. Irvine: “I hope to use this to bring success to the club on the field for years to come.”