Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer reveals Steven Gerrard used to be his primary footballing idol

Konrad Laimer was known throughout most of his career as a rather workmanlike player rather than a star, known for doing the dirty work in midfield and not getting as many plaudits. However, he is currently an essential player at Bayern Munich, one of the best teams in the world. Producing footballers at this level is not the norm for Austria football, so it is unsurprising that Laimer has become something of a role model for Austrian footballers to follow as he continues to carve out his very successful path.

But even role models have/had their role models. Speaking to Bundesliga’s English website, Laimer reveals who he looked up to as a child.

”I used to tell myself that [Liverpool FC legend and most recently Al Ettifaq head coach] Steven Gerrard was my role model, but I had many. I watched so much football. I think the most important thing, no matter how old you are, is not to stop having fun, no matter where you play, how you play and how old you are. “For me, it’s always been that way. There are always things you can pick up from many different players. For me there were several [role models], but if I had to name one, it would be Steven Gerrard.”

But this idolization did not come from some greater identification with the player or specific appreciation of his skills.

“As a kid, you only look at the goals because that’s what football is about. When someone scores a beautiful goal, it’s the nicest thing there is,” Laimer explained when asked why he idolized Gerrard, again captured by @iMiaSanMia. “That’s changed a bit nowadays. When you play football, you also look at certain runs and certain decisions. What does a player do before certain actions? You notice how football keeps changing. That’s why it’s so exciting and I find it interesting to watch other games, to watch our games and even watch my own games back, to always find a few things to get better at.”

It certainly helps to get better at football if one is a football fan who appreciates the details and Laimer is certainly that. Still, there is something to be said about enjoying someone like Gerrard rip one from 35 yards. There are many different reasons and ways to idolize footballers.