In the summer, Munich native Yusuf Kabadayi moved to the Fuggerstadt. The 20-year-old previously gained his first professional experience at FC Schalke 04 and scored four goals for the Royal Blues last season. In an interview with the Stadionkurier, “Yusi” talks about his former club, his first months at FCA and how he became friends with national basketball player Dennis Schröder.
Yusi, you played for Schalke 04 last year. This season you will face your former club in the cup, FC Augsburg. When you think back to your time as a Schalke player, what was your most valuable experience? For me the entire time was a unique experience. Schalke 04 is a big club with great fans. The recognition I felt there was quite an amazing experience. The games in the Schalke Arena are also something special because every game there is sold out.
Who are you most excited about among your former teammates? I’m actually looking forward to everyone, it would be difficult to list them all individually. If I have to choose one person, I’m most looking forward to Kenan Karaman. You’ve been one of the Fuggerstadt residents since this season. How did you settle in in your first few months here? That’s good, because we really have a cool group. I’ve already scored my first goal and feel very comfortable here. Now I’m hoping for even more playing time and of course more goals to help the team achieve our goals.
Which teammates do you get along particularly well with? With everyone! There is no one I would say I don’t get along with. But with Samu, Ruben, the French, Frank – I get along particularly well with them.
Do you also speak French yourself? Yes, I can speak French.
How did you settle in away from the WWK ARENA in Augsburg? What do you like to do most in your free time? I spend a lot of time with my friends and with my family. Every now and then I play games on the console and I also like to just be at home and do something for myself. And I also like to go out for ice cream.
Your favorite ice cream flavor? I have two: white chocolate pistachio and rose hibiscus.
In addition to football, you can also enjoy basketball. Where does your interest in it come from? Do you play in your free time? Yes, I play basketball from time to time. And I have a very good friend who is a basketball player: Dennis Schröder. Izzy Bonga, who also played in Munich, is another friend who I often supported at basketball games. I haven’t played basketball with either of them yet, we mostly duel at the table tennis table.
After your goal against St. Pauli you dedicated your goal celebration to Dennis Schröder. How did the friendship come about? I met Dennis and his brother in my hometown of Munich. We met by chance, talked about God and the world and realized that we were on the same wavelength about many things. The way we grew up is relatively similar: we both come from humble backgrounds and worked hard to get into professional sports. Since that meeting we’ve gotten along pretty well.
Let’s get back to the cup game. The FCA welcomes your former club. What is your assessment of the game? Of course I want to progress, so I think about my team and myself – even if my former club is eliminated. Of course FCA will advance to the round of 16!
Swiss
