November 24, 2022

5 min. to read

An Interview With Goran Pandev, Footballer

Hello everyone, today I have the pleasure of sitting next to the great Goran Pandev. He is a professional football player, one of the best athletes of the national team of Macedonia, a legendary pro from the Italian Serie A, and a role model for many youngsters.

Goran Pandev joined Inter Milan in early 2010 after establishing himself at Lazio. He then won a number of awards while playing with the Nerazzurri, including the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and UEFA Champions League in 2010 as part of the club’s treble.

On April 22, 2021, he became the first Macedonian to achieve 100 goals in one of Europe’s top five leagues. He captained Macedonia’s national team until retiring from international football after UEFA Euro 2020 in 2021. With 38 goals, he is our country’s all-time leading scorer.

Pandev is a fast, creative, and energetic left-footed attacker with strong technique, capable of both creating and scoring goals thanks to his opportunism and striking accuracy, as well as excellent vision and passing abilities. He established himself as a legend of Macedonian football. So, his dedication and hard work motivate young footballers to continue working on their dreams.

Let’s jump on the interview to find out what is Goran’s secret formula for success.

Tose Zafirov

Mr. Olympia Representative

How Did Goran Pandev Begin?

Tose Zafirov:

Hello there, Goran. First and foremost, I want to thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview. You are one of the top Macedonian football players with a long list of accomplishments. But did you always know you wanted to be a football player, and what was it that motivated you to choose this career?

Goran Pandev:

In order to achieve some of the achievements that I’ve accomplished so far in my career, I had to dedicate a lot of time and effort.
Since I was a child, football has been one of my biggest passions. Football was one of the main reasons I wanted to live, one of the few things that motivated me to get up from bed every morning up to a point where I wasn’t interested in anything else but football.

What Were Your Biggest Challenges?

Tose Zafirov:

The fact that you began your international career at 18 is quite impressive. However, as a young football player, what were some of the biggest challenges you had to overcome at the time?

Goran Pandev:

At the age of 18, I traveled to Italy, where I never expected that one of my biggest dreams of becoming a professional football player in one of the best leagues in the world would become a reality.
I knew the journey would be difficult, especially in Italy, because I came from a smaller and less-known country. I knew I would have to work three times as hard as other players just to prove myself, and through this hard work, I was able to show the Italians that anyone, from anywhere in the world, can succeed in this sport.

Which Achievement Means The Most to You?

Tose Zafirov:

You have won a lot of awards, and you are the best central forward player in the history of Macedonian football representation. But do you have any achievements that have had special meaning to you since you started your career in football?

Goran Pandev:

I have won a lot of awards in Italy, but my favorite and most meaningful achievement so far has to be the UEFA Champions League trophy which is a dream for any professional football player.
I’m proud to bring back the football captain role in my country, and one of my biggest wishes going forward is to place my country in the UEFA Europa League.

To What Do You Owe Your Success?

Tose Zafirov:

Next, to what do you owe your success? According to you, what is the one thing that separates a champion from the rest?

Goran Pandev:

I owe my success to my confidence, long and powerful training sessions, and, most of all, my family, who, on a daily basis, motivated me through continuous support.

What Is Your Daily Routine Before Competition?

Tose Zafirov:

Now, would you like to share your everyday routine? In addition, how do you prepare for a big competition?

Goran Pandev:

I like to concentrate, relax with music, and think as little as possible about the upcoming competition during my training sessions to achieve maximum efficiency.

How Do You Stay on Track With Your Diet?

Tose Zafirov:

The Macedonian kitchen is quite different from the kitchen within the countries you have competed in. Do you have any specific diet you regularly follow that provides you with the most optimal results? Furthermore, do you keep to this diet whenever you go around the world?

Goran Pandev:

It is a fact that in order to be an effective athlete, you must keep track of what you eat and take great care of your body with high levels of nutrition.
I have my own nutritionist who keeps track of my food consumption and recommends meals and plans for me to follow, and he is the reason I am in such good shape.

What Did It Take to Make It?

Tose Zafirov:

It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to be one of the best football players in the world, especially one from Macedonia. Who was (and still is) your greatest motivator to succeed in your career?

Goran Pandev:

As previously said, in order to be a great and professional football player, you must fully commit to your career. In my situation, I had to give up many things to become the player I am now.
When my friends wanted to go out late at night to bars and parties, I always had to refuse, and one of my largest sacrifices was the little to no time I could devote to my family since I was always competing.

Would You Do Anything Else?

Tose Zafirov:

What would you commit to doing if you weren’t a football player? Moreover, can you even imagine doing anything else than football?

Goran Pandev:

I can’t imagine my life without football. I genuinely don’t know how to answer this question because football is my life. It brings light to my being and is just who I am.

What Are Your Plans for The Future?

Tose Zafirov:

We’re slowly approaching the interview’s end, and I have an interesting question in mind. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Goran Pandev:

In 10 years, I see myself as a happy retired man who spends time with his family.

What Advice Would You Give to Young Footballers?

Tose Zafirov:

For the final question, what advice would you give to all the young and ambitious football players in Macedonia who are just starting out in their careers or want to enter the football industry?

Goran Pandev:

I would like to advise all of the young and brave souls who want to pursue a career in football to never give up and train as hard as they can. Still, they need to realize that football has its own set of obstacles. So, they should never lose faith in what they believe. They can do anything if they have the appropriate mentality and believe in themselves. And I hope all of their dreams come true!

Final Words

Goran, thank you very much for your honest and inspiring answers. It was truly a pleasure to have you with me today, and I wish you all the best in the future.

You can visit Goran Pandev’s official Wikipedia page to learn more about his history and achievements.

For more inspiring stories, feel free to check the Interviews page.

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