Konrad Laimer in Interview: "There's always a little bit more"

The selection of Konrad Laimer as Austria's Footballer of the Year 2025 is the logical result of the consistently strong performances that the Salzburg native has delivered both at FC Bayern and in the national team. In an interview with APA, the 28-year-old spoke, among other things, about the successful year coming to an end and the major challenges that lie ahead in 2026.

APA: What does being chosen as Footballer of the Year mean to you?

Laimer: "It's nice to receive such appreciation. It's also an incentive to keep going and become even better."

APA: This year you became a regular player with Bayern, winning the championship and the Super Cup, and you qualified for the World Cup with the national team - are there any wishes left unfulfilled?

Laimer: "In football, things can always go better, but basically, it has gone as one would wish. I am now at the best age for a footballer - I have already experienced a lot, feel very good physically, and want to continue on this path with many exciting tasks in the coming weeks, months, and years. Everything feels very good, I want to continue in the same way and always do a little more, because there is always a little more possible."

APA: What needs to happen in 2026 for you to be able to draw such a positive annual review again in a year?

Laimer: "The most important thing as a footballer is that you are healthy and take care of your body, that you are always ready to continue training and improving. I want to take the next steps, there is still a lot of time and space to improve. I am going into the next year with exactly this mindset."

APA: How do you see the chances of the ÖFB team in the World Cup group with Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan?

Laimer: "We have a very, very interesting and definitely not an easy group. I find it somehow cool that we only have opponents from continents other than Europe, somehow like a real World Cup. There is still a lot of time until then, but the anticipation is already great."

APA: Could it be an advantage that the current ÖFB team has not yet played against these opponents?

Laimer: "That is mutual. Nevertheless, it might be a small advantage that the opponents have not yet experienced us in a game."

APA: You could face Lionel Messi directly at the World Cup - what appeal would this duel have for you?

Laimer: "You always look forward to playing against the best, and for me personally, he is the best."

APA: The ÖFB team was in top form at the Euro 2024. What needs to happen for that to be the case again at the World Cup?

Laimer: "Good preparation is important. We have a bit more time and also the advantage of entering the World Cup relatively late. And of course, it's also important to create a good atmosphere and a good team structure, which we have had in the national team for years. You can tell, no matter who is there, they really enjoy it, have the desire and energy to do everything to be successful."

APA: Have you and your ÖFB teammates already looked beyond the group stage? As second, it could be against Spain in the round of 16.

Laimer: "It could be Spain, it could be England, it could be anyone. It doesn't help at all to look at that. You don't know who will win the groups anyway. The goal is to get through the group stage, then only good opponents will come."

APA: The Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu suggested that the ÖFB team is predictable because the core has been together for a long time. Additionally, doubts were raised due to the age structure. How do you see these issues?

Laimer: "I believe that we are constantly developing and that we only benefit from being together for a long time because you have certain processes in place and understand each other blindly. It is never a disadvantage, but an advantage, when you have a certain structure, when everyone knows what it's about and what they should do. The age structure is like any national team. You have a few older ones, a few middle-aged ones, and a few younger ones, that's how it should be. Those who are the best and understand best how we want to play should be there."

APA: A topic around the ÖFB team is also the possible contract extension of coach Ralf Rangnick. Should there be clarity on this before the World Cup?

Laimer: "Ultimately, it is the decision of the coach and the ÖFB. The coach is definitely 100 percent focused on the World Cup, and then it doesn't really matter whether the contract is extended before or after."

APA: Before things get really serious for you with the national team, there are still many tasks waiting with FC Bayern. What is possible with your club, especially considering the strong season so far?

Laimer: "Anything is always possible with FC Bayern, and of course, you have that certain hunger, that certain attitude that you just want to win everything. But even for us, there is always room for improvement, it distinguishes us that we always want to work on ourselves. When it comes to the decisive games in the spring, we have to be the better team on the day."

APA: You are set as a full-back at FC Bayern and recently also in the ÖFB team - are you now fixed on this position?

Laimer: "At least it's a position I can play well. Playing as a full-back or in midfield is not a big difference for me, as long as I feel I can have a certain influence on the game and use my strengths. I can do that as a full-back, which is why I feel comfortable there."

APA: You are a regular player and fan favorite at Bayern - did you expect this when you transferred in 2023?

Laimer: "I am always convinced of the qualities I can bring to the team. I am simply the type who gives everything and then sees what comes out in the end, and who always gives everything in training and in the game. Where the journey goes when you take such a step, you never know beforehand, but I have always known I can assert myself anywhere."

APA: There are even speculations now that your contract, which runs until 2027, could be extended early. What is your stance on that?

Laimer: "Of course, you think about what the future holds. I feel very comfortable here. I am always open to everything and relaxed. And as I said: I find it nice here in Munich."

(The conversation was conducted by Alois Tschida/APA in Munich)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.