Ibrahim Afellay Speaks To SoccerBible: PUMA, Football Boots & Schalke

Ibrahim Afellay Speaks To SoccerBible: PUMA, Football Boots & Schalke

On set for the shoot of his new PUMA evoSPEED 1, we landed a quick Q A with Dutch midfielder Ibrahim Afellay. Currently lacing his boots up in the Bundesliga with Schalke, the on-loan Barca man is once again firing on all cylinders after a string of injuries. Good news for PUMA, Schalke and the Netherlands.

 

 

The 26-year-old has risen from the PSV Eindhoven youth ranks to the Dutch national side. A dynamic attacking player with great ball skills, Afellay has enjoyed a long relationship with PUMA stretching his entire career - so who better to talk about PUMA football boots? Check out what he had to say as we discussed PUMA, Schalke, Barcelona and who he'd award this seasons Ballon d'Or to.   What first attracted you to the PUMA speed range and what are the boots best qualities? Ibrahim Afellay: Well first of all the PUMA speed boots have always been very light, which I think this is very important for an attacking player. They are also very comfortable and the speed boots have constantly improved with every version that I have worn. I really appreciate this and I think PUMA should continue exactly like that.

 

 

Do you have any favourite old boots?

 

IA: Yes, the PUMA King from maybe 7 or 8 years ago. I had it for the European Championships. I think one side was black, and the other side was white. It was a great boot, that is why I kept it till today.

Do you remember your first association with the PUMA brand, and are they an exciting brand to be partnered with?

 

IA: I do remember it well. I think I was 17 years old back then, so I have been with PUMA many years by now. For me the most important thing is the boot, and the boot was very good from the beginning, now I think it s actually incredible. But the PUMA Lifestyle products are always cool as well, I wear them every day.

 

 

Off pitch, what PUMA lifestyle gear do you like to wear? Do you have a favourite style of PUMA trainers?

IA: My favourite trainers are the Suedes and the PUMA Dallas.

 

How do you relax away from football? What are some of your favourite things to do on a day off?

 

IA: I like to spend time with my family, watch movies or go for dinner. My family is the most important factor in my life, I have a special relationship with my mother and I make an effort to see my family as much as I can, which is not always easy as I now live in Germany and we have many games and training sessions. But when I have the opportunity, I go home and see my mother and the other family members.

Is music something that really reaches you?

 

IA: I like Moroccan music and I listen to it a lot, some of the really old tunes as well. It is very traditional, no one would probably know these artists.

How much football do you watch when you're not playing? Are there any specific European teams you like to follow and watch on TV?

 

IA: Sometimes you want to disconnect from football, just to have some diversity in your everyday life. But if I have the chance to watch a game with Barcelona, I always take it. They are the team I watch more than any other team, simply because they play such great football.

 

 

As a newcomer do you now feel you've settled into the Schalke team?

IA: Yes, I feel good and very comfortable. I think I have settled into the team very quickly.

How does it feel playing in the Bundesliga compared to the Primera Division La Liga?

 

IA: I think the biggest difference is that here in Germany it is more physical, whilst it is more technical in Spain. But I think that both leagues play on a very high level. You can probably compare German football to English football, it also very quick and not as technical as other leagues. In both countries, England and Germany, you can find very modern stadiums that are mainly sold out, which is great for the atmosphere. I really like the atmosphere in the Schalke stadium.

 

What are your main goals for the season with your loan?

IA: I obviously would like to finish as high as possible in this season s ranking in the Bundesliga. But not only the league, also the Champions League and the German Cup is very important to us and we want to perform well and go far.

 

What makes Barcelona's set up and youth players so exceptional?

IA: Simply because they play the best football in the world. The set-up of the club is great, they constantly develop young players in their talent school. These kids just grow up with that style of football and learn it from the beginning. The school is the heart of the club and the style and the technique is already being manifested at a very early stage of their careers.

 

Who are your favourite players in world football? IA: There are many very talented players out there. I like Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. When I was young I also liked Zidane a lot, he was just great to watch. Also Fernando Redondo of the former Argentina national team was one of my idols when I was a kid. How do you feel the national team is developing under Louis Van Gaal? IA: So far he has only been with the team for a very short period of time. But I think he is a very good coach and he understands a lot about football. He is a good choice for the Dutch national team in the future and I am convinced he will guide the team to the right direction.

 

Who would you award this seasons Ballon d'Or to?

IA: I would give it to Messi. He deserves it, for all the goals he scored and because he is simply incredible, he plays like he is from a different planet.

Ibrahim Afellay wears the PUMA evoSPEED 1. To see our full feature on the latest Black/Green/Blue colourway, click here. Don't forget to leave your opinions on Afellay, Schalke and PUMA online, on Twitter and on Facebook.