He once ranked fourth in the Golden Globe Awards! Former Swedish international Brolin: chooses to retire at the age of 28 because he feels boring

Former Swedish international Thomas Brolin was interviewed and talked about his career, the reasons for retiring at the age of 28, and his unique views on football and life.

Blolin, what does football mean to you?

"It was a fun when I was a child, and when I grew up, it became a job. It was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience because I won a lot of honors: I won a Italian Cup, a European Cup, a European Super Cup and a European Cup with Parma. In 1994, I won third place in the World Cup with Sweden. That same year, I ranked fourth in the Golden Globes, behind Stoickov, Robert Baggio and Maldini. Very good, isn't it?"

Your career was very successful, but why did you choose to hang up your boots at the age of 28?

"Honestly, I'm tired of day-to-day training and have other plans in my mind. I've always been a very curious person."

What attracted you so much?

"A man found me. He was a very strange character: an inventor. He showed me his new ideas about vacuum cleaners. I was completely attracted and started a company with him. It was this thing that left me with no idea of ​​returning to the court."

Did someone advise you not to do that at that time?

"Everyone told me at the time that it was too early to retire at the age of 28. But I answered them: 'It depends on what you did in these 28 years.' I have done quite a lot in my career. And life is short and I can't do boring things. I don't do things that make me bored."

What are your most cherished victory?

"In the Italian Cup in 1992, we defeated the powerful Juventus. Parma was a young and inexperienced team at that time, but we successfully created miracles. There was also the second year European Cup of Winners. It was so wonderful to see the Wembley Stadium full of Parma fans."

What do you miss Parma?

"Food, playing tennis with my friend Genpiero Alinovi, and playing table tennis with Zora. I often beat him. My family is outside the city, and there is a table tennis table at home, and we often spend hours competing there. A beautiful friendship was born like this and continues to this day."

You have also devoted yourself to the poker table, how did this start?

"After saying goodbye to football, I needed something else. My mind was looking for new experiences, and becoming an entrepreneur was very helpful to me. I learned a whole new world, learned a craft, and challenged myself again. Yes, in retrospect, I came to the conclusion that I had always been eager to challenge myself in various fields. I did this in football and business activities. The same is true for poker, and it was purely accidental. I started playing with my friends in Stockholm and slowly fell in love with it, one after another."

As a poker player, what is Brolin like?

"As calm as on the court. No matter whether the cards in my hand are good or bad, there is no emotion on my face. I try to study my opponents. This is mainly about this game. But later, this circle also made me tired. I sometimes ask myself: Am I changing too much? But the truth is, I always need new stimulation."

Ever thought about returning to football?

"Never. I pay attention to football, watch games that I am interested in, observe players, I will not miss any game in Parma, because that club stays in my heart. But I can't say that I can't live without football. That's a lie, and I think I am an honest person. Football is beautiful, whether it's personal participation or as an audience, but that era is over."

So, let alone being a coach?

"I'm not suitable. A coach needs to think about twenty-five people, and I feel it's hard to even take care of myself. No, I'm very satisfied with the present: I have my passion, my pastime, I play tennis with my friends, golf... Can a coach do all these things? No, so I'm luckier than a coach. The secret is to live easily and enjoy every moment."

As a player, what are your best moments?

"The first goal I scored in Serie A. It was in Barry, a corner kick off, and I seized the perfect opportunity to take off. The start of the 1990-91 season was strange: the four goals I scored were neither with my right foot nor with my left foot, but were all headers. You know, I was only 1.75 meters tall, and I was definitely not a 'giant'. From this incident, I also saw the strangeness and beauty of life, and it always surprises you inadvertently. This is why I always want to find new experiences to get rid of boredom. Today I sell vacuum cleaners and am very happy. What will happen tomorrow? Who knows..."