Nati defender Silvan Widmer speaks plain text: ‘You won’t see me play in Saudi Arabia’

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Defender Silvan Widmer (30) is just a spectator while his Nati colleagues compete for the European Championship qualification in the coming days. The Swiss footballer has been out since May due to an ankle injury.

Now Widmer exchanges his sweater for an elegant shirt and trousers: Widmer takes a seat in the SRF program “Gredig direkt” and answers questions from moderator Urs Gredig (53). In addition, he gives his opinion on topics that are not discussed enough in football.

“Many of my colleagues feel they shouldn’t speak up if they feel bad.” For Widmer it is completely different. “I’m open about my feelings and what I’m going through. I also hope I can encourage one or the other to open up and talk about it.”

According to a study, 38 percent of professionals would complain of anxiety. Can’t admit this weakness? Widmer points to a personal case: “We had a player in the club who was depressed. Looking back, you saw it coming. But many are ashamed to admit it. We all have to do our part to make it better. “

But Widmer is not only committed to the topic of mental health, he also cares about the topic of homosexuality, a taboo topic in men’s football. For this reason, the Mainz captain also wears a rainbow armband in the club. However, he himself does not know that any player is gay. “But I am 100 percent sure that you can talk about it in Mainz. That would go very well – we are all open.” Widmer was already happy when Jakub Jankto – Widmer’s ex-player at Udinese – came out. “I love it,” he told Blick in February.

Another topic that is about football. The recent cases of Inter striker Romelu Lukaku and Real star Vinicius Junior are just two of many examples. Here, Widmer takes a clear stand: “It’s really sad. There are certain people in the stands who have nothing in mind.” However, he notes with regret: “There is a tendency for things to get worse.”

He has been in Mainz since 2021 – and he has no plans to leave: In May of this year, Widmer announced his contract extension with the Bundesliga club. The fans celebrate Widmer for his loyalty. A quality that is no longer commonplace in football. Because of the money. With Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kanté, three superstars will move from Europe to Saudi Arabia within a year. For Widmer, father of two children, incomprehensible. “I will not play in Saudi Arabia. Not even for 200 million a year.”

Source : Blick