No player in the Super League is currently in as much demand as Fabian Rieder. At the Swiss Football Night at the end of January, he was voted the best player in the league and youngster of the year. No wonder: He plays extremely successfully at YB, was at the World Cup and can also show appearances in the Champions League. In Bern, it is expected that he will soon make a move abroad. In conversation, he says he tries to keep his feet on the ground. And that despite success, he sometimes doubts himself.
SRF: You are currently extremely successful and in demand. And yet you have self-doubt. how come
Fabian Rieder: That probably has something to do with my ambition. Sometimes that’s definitely a weakness of mine. I keep questioning myself, but try to hide it. Ultimately, however, these doubts are certainly part of it, as this is the only way I can constantly improve.
What exactly are these doubts?
With success, expectations from the outside also increase. Especially after a mixed game or a bad pass, it is important to forget that quickly and look ahead.
You pat yourself on the back – in view of the success – but also?
Yes, of couse. I’m very proud. My goal is to play abroad one day.
My goal is to play abroad one day.
That’s why I have to set the bar high and constantly improve.
What you are currently experiencing – is it something like a dream?
You could say that. I was able to turn my passion into a job – that’s incredible. A dream definitely came true.
Do you sometimes have to pinch yourself to know it’s not just a dream?
Yes, definitely. I always need time to process it all. For example, the holidays with my girlfriend, which I spent on the beach in Zanzibar, helped.
It is quite possible that you will leave YB. There is talk of a transfer sum of 15 million francs. How do you deal with that?
That’s incredible. If someone had told me that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it. But I don’t dwell on it too much. I play for YB and I want to give my best.
A price tag like that fills me with pride.
And sure, the number is high. But that’s the football business. A price tag like that fills me with pride. Still, I think I’m down to earth.
How come?
My mother raised me that way. She taught me to take life day by day; to be down to earth. And treat other people the way you would like to be treated yourself. That’s why I never see myself as something better than others.
Football dominates her life. Has there been a day lately that you haven’t thought about him?
A few days ago I was out for a day with YB players. Football wasn’t an issue there. But only almost. Admittedly, football dominates practically everything, which is sometimes a bit tedious. Especially after a game, I don’t want to just talk about football anymore. However, there is nothing else that fascinates me like football.
The conversation was conducted by Thomas Pressmann.