Karim Bellarabi has once again managed to slide his name into the Bundesliga history books. The German international scored the Bundesliga’s 50,000th goal during Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory at FC Augsburg on Matchday 21. Bellarabi spoke with DFB.de on his historic achievement and on their upcoming Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Question: Mr. Bellarabi, you have already scored the fastest Bundesliga goal in history, sustained the fastest injury and now also scored the 50,000th goal since the introduction of the league back in 1963. Are you a specialist in making history?
Karim Bellarabi: It seems so. I am delighted about getting the milestone goal, however the three points are more important. It was more important for our team. I am happy that we are moving forward again, but I am also happy about this goal, of course. I gladly accept this honour. I hope that we can continue our good form on Tuesday.
Question: Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler said that you still have unrevealed potential and that you are improving from game to game. Do you agree?
Bellarabi: Yes, that is correct. I was injured for a long time and it was no minor injury either. You need a few games to get back into the rhythm after returning. But I am steadily regaining my strength and I notice that from game to game. I am just happy to get my fitness back and to help the team collect points and move forward.
Question: Was scoring the 50,000th goal a topic amongst the players before the game?
Bellarabi: To be honest, I was not really aware of it and only truly found it after the match. I did hear during the week that a milestone was about to be set, but I was not thinking about it during the game and I did not find out at half-time either. But I am very happy about it and it is something special. I hope that I can keep going like this.
Question: What else are you looking to achieve?
Karim Bellarabi has once again managed to slide his name into the Bundesliga history books. The German international scored the Bundesliga’s 50,000th goal during Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory at FC Augsburg on Matchday 21. Bellarabi spoke with DFB.de on his historic achievement and on their upcoming Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.
Question: Mr. Bellarabi, you have already scored the fastest Bundesliga goal in history, sustained the fastest injury and now also scored the 50,000th goal since the introduction of the league back in 1963. Are you a specialist in making history?
Karim Bellarabi: It seems so. I am delighted about getting the milestone goal, however the three points are more important. It was more important for our team. I am happy that we are moving forward again, but I am also happy about this goal, of course. I gladly accept this honour. I hope that we can continue our good form on Tuesday.
Question: Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler said that you still have unrevealed potential and that you are improving from game to game. Do you agree?
Bellarabi: Yes, that is correct. I was injured for a long time and it was no minor injury either. You need a few games to get back into the rhythm after returning. But I am steadily regaining my strength and I notice that from game to game. I am just happy to get my fitness back and to help the team collect points and move forward.
Question: Was scoring the 50,000th goal a topic amongst the players before the game?
Bellarabi: To be honest, I was not really aware of it and only truly found it after the match. I did hear during the week that a milestone was about to be set, but I was not thinking about it during the game and I did not find out at half-time either. But I am very happy about it and it is something special. I hope that I can keep going like this.
Question: What else are you looking to achieve?
Bellarabi: (Laughs) When a new record comes around the corner I will do my best.
Question: What will you do with the trophy for having scored this goal?
Bellarabi: I am going to take it home and let my mother decide if she wants to have it or if it stays with me. My mother always makes the decisions in the end.
Question: How prepared are you for the Champions League game with Atletico on Tuesday?
Bellarabi: I think that we have gained confidence and we want to go full throttle on Tuesday. We have to recover well, because it is going to be a tough match. Until now we had only been thinking about the Augsburg game, but from now on we will focus entirely on Atletico. We want to get the best result possible on Tuesday, ideally a win.
Question: How much did you enjoy playing with 17-year-old Kai Havertz?
Bellarabi: It is unbelievable. He is doing a great job and you would never guess that he is only 17 years old. It was great to see him play the full 90 minutes last week and this time again. I really have to say respect! A very good performance from Kai and I am really happy for him. He is a good lad. I hope that he can continue in the same fashion.
