Simon Kjaer was named The Guardian Footballer of the Year. It is an award granted to a player who has done something remarkable in the year.
The Rossoneri defender was very proud to earn this prestigious recognition as he said the following to the British outlet:
“I appreciate all the positive words and gratitude. I’m honoured. But as I’ve always said, my reaction (when Eriksen collapsed) was impulsive and so was everyone’s. What we did, we did as a team. I would not have been able to keep my sh*t together if I didn’t have anyone to lean against.”
Kjaer added:
“It was our friend: not a colleague, a friend. That made it so much more intense, and what we did was instinctive. I don’t believe you can prepare yourself for anything like it. I know, for myself, that I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without my team by my side. At the end of the day everything was only for one purpose and that was for Christian, his wellbeing at the time and his family.”
On the team’s reaction after the incident:
“We tried it all. We allowed ourselves to train an hour, an hour and a half a day, and then get through it with all the bounces and difficulties that the days would bring.”
On the loss to Belgium:
“I went on; warm-up; dressing room; walk out for national anthem; get through the national anthem; hear the whistle; take it from there, I had no idea whatsoever what would happen. Even if I went into the game knowing I should play, at the end of the day I didn’t know if I would play. I had no idea how I would act, no one did, but I was OK. So we enjoyed it and the result didn’t matter, I can tell you that, 100%. It didn’t matter. Not at any point.”
“The fans, the stadium, that support, the feeling inside, I think it describes what happened for Denmark overall that summer, for people who were there but also those watching on TV. How could we do that performance? I cannot find you explanations; I can only come back to the team, the support, the trust, the comfort we find in each other. Our bond was the only thing that gave us a chance to get back out on the pitch.”
On the exit of the Euros competition:
“If we hadn’t passed through the group stage I’d have been totally ok with it. Sure, afterwards I might have looked back and still hoped. I’m still pissed about the penalty, and missing the final. But in the end it was secondary, and football has become secondary for me. It’s not as important as it was before.”
Kjaer sheds light on his serious injury:
“In the bigger picture this is just my leg, and it is just football, even though both things are pretty important to a footballer. I am well, my family is well, and I will return to the football pitch. I prefer to see it as a positive and rare opportunity. I’ve often had the thought about how it would be to take two or three months away from matches, both to be creative about optimising my game and making my body stronger. Normally that’s never possible in a career. I’d rather not have been injured but I have to accept it, work to get over it and get out as a stronger version of myself.”
On his mentality:
“In my mind I’m a guy who grew up in a small city and my feet are solidly planted on the ground. But sometimes you have to be a little bit arrogant, a little bit ignorant, about your own capabilities because it will push you a little bit more. If you’re playing against Messi or Ronaldo, they are probably better than you. But if you know that every day you work your ass off, you can tell yourself: ‘Who is a better defender in the world than me right now?’ A few, maybe a little bit more, but under the right conditions … I believe I’m the best, I have to believe that. If not I never will be, and I will never give 100%.”
On the Danish spirit and mentality:
“Overall we’re very respectful, educated people,” Kjaer says. “If you take 100 Danish players from around the world, maybe one will be a little nuts, but I think you’ll find parallels between all of us. You’re brought up to be very independent, learn to take care of yourself, learn to be polite. You learn attitude and confidence is a good thing, but not too much. You appreciate and earn your respect, never taking anything for granted. We’re very direct, we’re very honest, and I think that is very important.”
On his relationship with Eriksen:
“I speak a lot with Christian,” Kjær says. “It’s been my therapy. If I know Christian is OK, then I’m OK; if he’s good, I’m good. Of course I have things I struggle with, and I will always struggle with them. But with time, and if I can see Christian and his family are good, then I am too. That is where I find my peace in it, and that is enough for me.”
