As you may know former longtime Germany and Bayern no. 1 Oliver Kahn had his testimonial exactly a week ago in Munich. The match, between Bayern and Germany, ended 1–1, but the score was less important than the man honored that night. His accomplishments are legion and well-known, including, perhaps most impressively, being the only goalkeeper to win the FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
To commemorate his career Adidas released this video to coincide with that match. It is featured as part of its “Impossible is Nothing” series , but is produced in a much more serious tone (in keeping with Kahn’s character) than other “Impossible is Nothing” commercials. Nothing particularly new or shocking is revealed, it’s just a well-made tribute to one of the all-time greats.
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For those of you not conversant in German (I imagine that’s why you’re here in the first place and not reading some fine piece of excellent sports journalism auf deutsch) I’ve provided a little transcript to go along with the video. So, in the words of the man himself:
I didn’t actually approach the ball the first time with my feet, but instead I picked it up right away. Yeah, something could come of me and the ball. Talent is a gift you’re given in life, but it’s useless if you’re not willing, in spite of everything, to work hard.
[Milan on May 23, 2001, the Champions League final. A penalty shootout is needed to settle the 1–1 stalemate. Amedeo Carboni, Valencia’s Italian left fullback, has the opportunity to put Valencia ahead 3–2…]
Kaaaahn! It’s not in! Unbelievable!
Becoming the national team goalkeeper was a marathon task for me. I only became the regular keeper in goal for the German national team at age 28 and by then others already quit playing soccer. I’ve always needed a long, long time in order to reach my goals. Success is what’s important to me. And for me that counts even more than, and I’ll say this in quotes, to be “sympathetic” or “immortal” or to be “the tragic hero”.
It was a long, long path and I always needed lots of perseverance. But that’s just how we are. Being a goalkeeper naturally also implies a bit of craziness.
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2 comments… read them below or add one
I will always remember when was the first time I know of Oliver Kahn. The 2002 World Cup. Apart from a certain Michael Ballack at that time, Kahn was the other name which stood out for me from the German national team at that time. Okay, also back then as a naive soon-to-be 15-year-old, I just thought that then-national coach Rudi Voller…the surname is unique.
For some reason, Kahn and Ballack stood out for me six years ago. I remembered Ballack was suspended for the final against Brazil and I was actually rooting for the underdog at that time, Germany on winning the title. I always have a habit of going for the underdogs if I don't have a favourite team going into a match. I did watched the final and Brazil won eventually, as we know. All the more the following day in school, some of my classmates were discussing the match. But if there was anything I remembered from the 2002 World Cup, it was Kahn.
'For those of you not conversant in German (I imagine that’s why you’re here in the first place and not reading some fine piece of excellent sports journalism auf deutsch) I’ve provided a little transcript to go along with the video.'
In my best attempt at German – Danke.
I hear they have one planned for Jens too. “Impossible is Nothing. Being a Douche Bag is Very Possible….Indeed All Too Easy”