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Alsu Abdullina is the only representative of Russian women's football in Europe. In an interview with Sport, the Paris midfielder, who belongs to London's Chelsea, spoke about the choice between two iconic European capitals, the false emotions of people in the West and what made her write poetry.
— Despite You’re young, you’ve been on the national team for almost 6 years. Don’t you feel like a veteran?
— In principle, I feel older in life. But in the national team — no, I don’t feel like that. I’m just not nervous when called up to the national team, I’ve gotten used to it.
— There was more attention from coaches or partners after the transition to Chelsea?
— From the coaching staff, the attention has become more intense and there are more demands. I myself feel a great responsibility.
— Over the past two years, the women's team has played matches with teams from Belarus, Serbia, Iran, China, and Paraguay without the opportunity to participate in official tournaments. What is your motivation?
— Be that as it may, women's football, especially at the national team level, is now receiving a lot of attention in the country, so I want to win every match. For me, this is an opportunity to see girls, talk in my native language, plus play, gain international experience.
— What did you experience when the Russian national team was cut off from the Euro at the last moment?< br>
— There were a lot of feelings, especially negative ones. We have come a long way, played two important matches against Portugal. I remember the emotions after the second one at Sapsan Arena, Marinka Fedorova and I were just very happy. When they found out that we weren't allowed in, I didn't cry — I was just very upset. » />
— Do you believe that you will still have the opportunity to play in a major tournament for the Russian national team?— I believe. I plan to continue my career for a long time, so I hope that I will have time to play at the Euro.
— In some sports, including men's football, athletes change nationality in order to perform at the top level. What is your opinion?
— Everyone has their own opinion and their own choice in life. I have no right to condemn anyone, but I am not going to change my citizenship myself.
— Last September, UEFA gave hope to our youth by allowing youth teams to participate in tournaments, but a month later they announced that they could not find a technical solution to allow Russian teams to play. Do you believe that in the foreseeable future teams under 17 will still have the opportunity to participate in international tournaments?
— Of course, you should always believe, but I don’t know if this will happen. But, probably, they will begin to admit youth or women’s teams, which receive less attention.
— If this happens, Is it worth it, in your opinion, to agree to a performance without a flag, an anthem and not on the territory of the Russian Federation, but on a neutral field?
— Then it turns out that you are not playing for the Russian national team. It would be unpleasant for me to play without a flag and coat of arms.
«London or Paris? Russia!»
— After leaving Russia you spent more than a year and a half in England and have been playing in France for six months now. Where was it more difficult to adapt?
— Of course, in England, since I still didn’t know the language at all, it was first experience of life in Europe, plus Chelsea is a very good team. But all this is behind me, I gained experience, worked on my mistakes, so now it’s easier in France.
— Wasn’t there a biased attitude towards you in Chelsea and now in Paris because you are from Russia?
— No, everyone is fine . Maybe, of course, they say something, but no one says it to your face.
— Why is the club from Paris? Because of the status of the capital of world fashion?
— Of course not. Only football reasons. I saw that last season they were in third place in the French championship. Very nice team, I liked the style of play.
— London or Paris? Where is it more comfortable?
— In Russia! I don’t even know what to answer. It's not comfortable anywhere yet. I’m alone here, my family is far away, my language is not my native one. It’s one thing to come for a week to relax, and another thing to live. If you asked me if I would stay abroad for a long time, if I would go to live just like that, without football, I would probably answer: “More likely no than yes.” At least that's how I feel now. Maybe something will leave me here later.
— What was the most difficult thing to get used to in everyday life?
— Language barrier, absolutely different mentality, different people. I noticed that in Europe, when people meet you, they often ask how you are doing, more out of politeness. This seems to be an element of good taste, and not a real desire.
— You recently started publishing your poems on social networks. When did you start composing?
— Back in England. At the beginning it was very difficult, I was alone, so my thoughts were not the most cheerful. So I thought that I could try to write a poem, what if it works? It seems to have worked out well. Was surprised. I don’t speak in a way that is competent, but here it’s just a verse! /strong>
— It was like overcoming myself. There are psychological moments when nothing works out, so I don’t expose anything, I keep to myself. I think that we need to separate this somehow, if it doesn’t work out with football, it doesn’t mean that life is over. I just didn’t play then and it was hard, I abandoned the blog, I also didn’t post almost anything on social networks. Such moments happen.
— Do you go to a psychologist? Does it help?
— I went, but for 4 or 5 months without a psychologist. I want to try to figure it out on my own.