RBL defender Willi Orbán in interview: "I am a little obsessed!"
Willi Orbán talks about ginger cocktails, steak for breakfast and his hunger for further trophies
Willi, let’s take a look back at the last footballing year. We have achieved a lot: a Europa League semi-final, DFB Pokal win, Champions League qualification, but also a crazy start of the season. How would you assess the year?
There were definitely lots of ups and downs and it was really turbulent. But, all in all, obviously also positive with the Pokal win, which outshines everything else. In the current season, especially in the last part, we have put together an impressive run of results. Especially in front of our fans at home at the Red Bull Arena, we have performed strongly and now we have a good starting point for the second half of the season.
Have you rewarded yourself for the Pokal win? A few of the players for example had Pokal-winner rings made. What did you get yourself?
Very first of all their was the huge party, we all celebrated brilliantly together. Also, the trip to Ibiza with the team was great. Like a lot of the boys, I ordered myself a replica of the trophy, which now has found a lovely little place for itself in the cabinet at home. But, there is still plenty of place for further trophies in the future!
Which trophies would you most like to put next to the replica Pokal?Nationally, winning a league trophy would obviously be sensational. Internationally, there probably isn’t a bigger prize than the Champions League, if you are allowed to dream big for a moment. But, I also would not say ‘no’ to a second DFB Pokal win. So, as said earlier, there is still a bit of room in the cabinet.
You are extremely into healthy eating, but after the Pokal final you broke this didn’t you?
Yes, of course! In this case it is normal and there was also some alcohol involved. A win like that is an occasion to let your hair down, and me and the boys really put in a good shift.
What is Willi Orbán’s favourite long drink when letting his hair down?Moscow Mules always taste good – at least with that you also have a bit of ginger as something healthy to help your conscience (laughs).
Everyone at the club deserved that win. The fact that all the hard work finally paid off has only made us all the more hungry for more!
Apart from the DFB Pokal final, are there any particular games that stand for you this year?
I think the wining streak at the end of the year was something special and also a lot of fun, especially the games at home which we won almost all of. That was a great feeling!
At the start of the year we also had a lot of European games which were great to experience. But I can only really highlight the cup final which stands out above everything. It was very emotional as it was the first major honour for the club. Everyone at the club deserved that win. The fact that all the hard work finally paid off has only made us all the more hungry for more.
You scored 6 goals in 2022. Are you happy with that return?
Yes, it will do. Even as a defender my aim is to score six or seven goals a year, so I’ve done pretty well in 2022.
Almost all of your goals were important. You scored the crucial goal away at Bielefeld which secured Champions League qualification (1-1), you scored the opener against Real Sociedad which ensured our progress in the Europa League (3-1) and you scored the first goal in the 3-0 win over Dortmund. Which goal stands out in particular?
I’m happy every time I score. As a defender I don’t find the net too often. I didn’t realise until now that all of my goals were so important. The early goal against Dortmund in September was important as we had very little time to prepare after the change of head coach. Dortmund are a strong team and to get off to a start like that was awesome. Nonetheless, defending well is always my priority.
20 goals for Leipzig - Willi Orbán commentates on his goals
You’ve already mentioned how strong our form was at home in the first half of the season. Following our final home game this year, you had a nice message to share with the fans that also featured some singing…
(laughs) That was pretty spontaneous and our fans deserved something like that. I wanted to say thank you to our fans for their incredible support on behalf of our team, which is part of the reason behind our unbeaten run and strong performances at the Red Bull Arena. We were able to celebrate another incredible year together and it was important to us as a team to show the fans how grateful we are.
‘Leipzig on Fire’ is a current favourite on the terraces, while the fan song ‘Stolz des Ostens’ can be heard playing inside the dressing room. Do you feel as though the atmosphere right now is something special?
Yes, definitely. Everyone also knows how important this is. It’s great to see what’s happening this season and we can feel that the support from the stands has really grown. It’s a lot of fun to play at home and we’re able to give something back to the fans in the form of positive results and strong performances.
We’re in the midst of the winter break, with the holidays fast approaching. Would you have rather played on, because we were on a strong run of form, or is it nice to have a break?
We were definitely on a good run, but I think having a break is also good for us. The holidays are coming up and it’s nice to have a chance to catch our breaths. We want to build on our run in the new year and our first game back will be a real highlight against FC Bayern. Starting the year like that is great, and we’re looking forward to it.
What will you be doing for Christmas?
Taking it easy, spending lots of time with family, relaxing and eating good food. There’s also a little bit of training going on still. It’s rare that there’s two days in a row where I’m not doing anything. It doesn’t make sense because right now is a good time to build your strength. I have my own gym at home, and do two extra sessions there every week.
Fitness and health are clearly very important to you. Is that also a bit of an obsession for you?
My job is my life and I invest a lot into my body. Over the years, you get a feel for what you need and what works best for you. I am a little obsessed in that regard, and that’s how it should be. It’s a kind of lifestyle for me. It also keeps my energy levels up. I will never be a couch potato, not even after my career is over.
Recently, you gave an interview where you said that you would prefer to have a steak for breakfast rather than muesli!
Yes. I’ve found that eating muesli for breakfast makes me feel really sluggish. I need more protein rather than carbohydrates, so I will sometimes have steak for breakfast. I don’t eat any gluten or wheat, and instead eat a lot of meat and offal. I rarely eat anything ‘unclean.’ I do, however, eat lots of sugars in order to help restore my energy levels. I also drink special supplement drinks to help me restore nutrients, like a magnesium drink before bed so that my body is able to rest.
In his home gym with Willi Orbán
You’ve been living in a house with a garden for a while now. As a nutrition expert, will you also take up gardening now?
No, no. Of course having a house brings more responsibility with it, but I’m not the kind of person who wants to work in the garden every day. It’s a nice property and just needs a little maintenance now. Fortunately, I have people who can help me with that.
You’ve been at the club since 2015. Do you sometimes pinch yourself and think back to how it all began? Coming to RB Leipzig as a youngster from Kaiserslautern, winning promotion to the Bundesliga and qualifying for the Champions League to now being a DFB Pokal winner and defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League…
Sometimes, everything that we’ve achieved all hits me at once. Time goes on, however, and every season is better than the last. It’s exciting that the journey is continuing and that there’s players who have been here since 2015. I think that we have continuously improved and that we can still achieve a lot. You can definitely take the time now and then to look back and be proud, but we still have a lot ahead of us and we’re not done yet.
