She is joined at PSG by a host of Germany stars: Linda Bresonik, Annike Krahn, Josephine Henning and Ann-Katrin Berger. “Their presence made things easier,” said the attacker. “I made the right decision, I needed a new challenge and Paris fitted the bill. The club is professional and everything is going well.” You can’t help but get the impression that the move has made her an even better player.
It’s also clear that she now feels at home in Paris. In this incredible city. A city of temptations, full of offers, the Champs Élysées rather than Frankfurt’s Zeil, Croissants instead of Bread Rolls, the Eiffel Tower instead of “Mainhattan.” Her new city is full of adventures. She has two French lessons a week. She wants to have control. Progress may be slow – “It leaves me banging my head on the desk” – but it’s paying off. She is no longer relying on help from the other German players. Those times are over.
There’s just one thing that annoys her and it’s a story involving her car. She used to drive through the city – it took her two hours to travel to 20km. however, the story tale continues. She was desperate to get home yet circumstances got worse – her car regularly got damaged. “After the first week it was covered in scratches. The French park differently to German people,” said Allushi who begrudgingly laughs at the events. “I now leave the car at home as I can’t be bothered to continually take it back to Germany so it can be repaired.”
Famous family
Since then she has followed the example set by Celia Šašic, who also faced the same issues with cars. Driving in Paris? Not a good idea it would seem! She realised that the Metro offers a stress free easy method of getting around. In roughly half an hour you can get across the city. However, Alushi doesn’t want to go without a car. She thinks she has a solution: “Maybe I’ll get a Smart car. They fit in almost every space.”
There’s one more feature which could be improved- Her husband, Enis Alushi, is contracted to German second-division side FC St. Pauli. A distance of roughly 900km separates them – it’s a long distance relationship. Lira, a family oriented person, doesn’t find it easy. She travels back to Germany as often as possible. “There are planes. We see each other at least once a week, via Skype if necessary” she said.
They are pragmatic – planning things isn’t always easy for two footballers. Sometimes there are more training exercises, sometimes there are days off. What happens? “Sometimes he’ll send me a text to say he’s at the airport and is on the way to see me,” said Alushi. She loves these surprises: “The excitement to see him again is biggest at moments like this.”
After Rio 2016 family planning is on the agenda
Christmas is in full swing. A wonderful time, the arrival of a New Year. Lira Alushi will also use the days to recharge her batteries. Obviously, with her family, but she may go on a holiday with her husband. She deserves it; she lives life in the fast lane.
The 75-time Germany capped player is now playing her football in France for Paris Saint-Germain. In a city which never sleeps. For a club which always plays a role at the business end of competitions. There’s no rest for the wicked. “It’s always incredibly exciting here,” said Alushi. "To start with it was a bit different and not always easy for me. Since then I’ve adapted to things and feel at home.”
Alushi moved to France from 1. FFC Frankfurt in the summer. On the pitch she made an impressive start. After her transfer she stated that she wasn’t there primarily to enjoy the city, which had 12 million inhabitants. However, obviously she does.
"We were the best team"
The main reason for moving was to play a key role at the top end of French football. For years Olympique Lyon dominated the scene but there has been a power change recently. This culminated in a sensational Champions League last 16 tie which saw the team from the capital knock out their southern rivals, thanks to impressive performances from Alushi in both legs.
“That was a big and important achievement for us because it wasn’t down to luck. We’d lost to them in the league previously, which was a fair result but we deserved the victory in the Champions League,” said Alushi. “We were the best team.” The success had led to more goals being set: “It would be a dream to reach the final in Berlin with Paris and lift the trophy.”
Alushi has a taste for success. She won plenty of trophies during her time with FCR 2001 Duisburg, Turbine Potsdam and in Frankfurt. She’s won the Bundesliga, the DFB Cup and the Champions League. She’s won the European Championship, the World Cup and been named Germany’s Footballer of the Year. The move to Paris was the next logical step: A new challenge, new goals and a new adventure.
Champs Élysées rather than Frankfurt
She is joined at PSG by a host of Germany stars: Linda Bresonik, Annike Krahn, Josephine Henning and Ann-Katrin Berger. “Their presence made things easier,” said the attacker. “I made the right decision, I needed a new challenge and Paris fitted the bill. The club is professional and everything is going well.” You can’t help but get the impression that the move has made her an even better player.
It’s also clear that she now feels at home in Paris. In this incredible city. A city of temptations, full of offers, the Champs Élysées rather than Frankfurt’s Zeil, Croissants instead of Bread Rolls, the Eiffel Tower instead of “Mainhattan.” Her new city is full of adventures. She has two French lessons a week. She wants to have control. Progress may be slow – “It leaves me banging my head on the desk” – but it’s paying off. She is no longer relying on help from the other German players. Those times are over.
There’s just one thing that annoys her and it’s a story involving her car. She used to drive through the city – it took her two hours to travel to 20km. however, the story tale continues. She was desperate to get home yet circumstances got worse – her car regularly got damaged. “After the first week it was covered in scratches. The French park differently to German people,” said Allushi who begrudgingly laughs at the events. “I now leave the car at home as I can’t be bothered to continually take it back to Germany so it can be repaired.”
Famous family
Since then she has followed the example set by Celia Šašic, who also faced the same issues with cars. Driving in Paris? Not a good idea it would seem! She realised that the Metro offers a stress free easy method of getting around. In roughly half an hour you can get across the city. However, Alushi doesn’t want to go without a car. She thinks she has a solution: “Maybe I’ll get a Smart car. They fit in almost every space.”
There’s one more feature which could be improved- Her husband, Enis Alushi, is contracted to German second-division side FC St. Pauli. A distance of roughly 900km separates them – it’s a long distance relationship. Lira, a family oriented person, doesn’t find it easy. She travels back to Germany as often as possible. “There are planes. We see each other at least once a week, via Skype if necessary” she said.
They are pragmatic – planning things isn’t always easy for two footballers. Sometimes there are more training exercises, sometimes there are days off. What happens? “Sometimes he’ll send me a text to say he’s at the airport and is on the way to see me,” said Alushi. She loves these surprises: “The excitement to see him again is biggest at moments like this.”
After Rio 2016 family planning is on the agenda
It’s worth noting that the couple do have fixed plans for the future. An end of the long distance relationship is in sight. She has a contract in Paris until summer 2016. Before then there is the 2015 World Cup in Canada and of course the Olympics in 2016. She would like to be involved in both tournaments before taking a break.
In summer 2016 Lira Alushi will be 28, which, according to her, is the best time to start a family. At this point her career as a footballer will end as she embarks on starting a family. Both can’t happen at the same time. “I want to have kids,” said Alushi. Will she return to the pitch later? Maybe, maybe not.
“I haven’t thought about that,” she said. “At the minute I don’t know whether a return to this level is possible.” There are no room for half measures in her life. A life without football? That’s also an option. She will find a way to enjoy herself, like she has managed to do so far.
