Stanislav Lobotka did not expect a victory in the Footballer of the Year 2024 poll

BRATISLAVA. The second time in a row won the prestigious poll of the football player of the year.

Stanislav Lobotka was one of the supports of the Slovak national team and Naples in 2024. With the national team almost fought to the quarterfinals for the euro in Germany and was a natural leader. Although Naples was unable to defend the title last year, he is again aspirant for the first place in the current year and the 30-year-old representative excels on the pitch from week to week.

Finally, it brought him the first place in the poll – although, as he confessed, he did not expect this triumph, because David Hancko had a successful months in Feyenoord Rotterdam.

After the ceremonial gala evening, the Slovak midfielder also answered the media questions.

For the second time you have become a football player of the year. Did you expect it?

I was surprised because David (Hancko) had a great season. He was excellent in the representation and in Feyenoord and has an incredible left hand. I didn't know who would win. But I am very happy, and thank you to all who gave me voices.

What does such an individual award mean to you?

You work all year round, and you can renounce something to be successful and maybe achieve something individually. It is also about what I eat when I go to sleep, what I increase in training.

This also shows up at these awards. It is motivation for the next job, but everyone would exchange it for team success if it could.

Is it possible to compare an award for a man of the match at the European Championship and a trophy for the football player of the year?

This is a special price. You will get one meeting on Eure and you can be a man of the match. But if you want to become the best football player in Slovakia for the whole year, you have to perform good performances throughout the year. You still have to move forward, which is certainly harder.

What was the highlight of the past year of 2024?

The euro, like about most of us. Too bad the end with England, but we have nothing to be ashamed of, we have shown that we can play football.

The conclusion hurt, but I am the kind of person who no longer solves the past and tries to live in the present.

In Germany you were in top form, although you have had a long season. What do you owe it to?

I guess my diet and the fact that I changed a lot of things. I try to work on myself, whether on the pitch or outside the pitch. Every day I will have a goal that I want to move by at least one percent.

Video: Winner of the Football Polls of the Year Stanislav Lobotka

Which was the most memorable moment at the European Championship?

Probably a match with Belgium. We showed the heart, showed that we can play football and we have something to build on. For me personally, it was one of the best performances in the national team.

Naples took 10th place in Serie A last season. You are currently in second place and are losing three points to Inter Milan. How do you perceive the year 2024 from the perspective of the club?

At the club level it was not as we would like, but I always go to the maximum. I released one hundred percent of myself in every single match.

Juraj Kucka announced the end of the national career. So you are one of the oldest players in the cadre. How do you perceive it?

Personally, I feel very good, not at all old. I keep in shape, although age cannot be fooled, but it can be slowed down a bit. I do not look at whether I am old or young, I take as part of the team and try to help him.

What is the representation of Kuck's departure?

He loses the leader, the face of the representation. Kuco always fought, went to the bottom of his forces. There were many matches, when he helped me a lot, won the fights, I could lean on him. When I saw how he was running at my age, it was motivation for me.

In the football player of the year you overtook David Hanck by 37 points. What else is missing to win once?

David is an excellent player and, more importantly, it is also an excellent person. It has an incredible left -hander, it grows incredibly. The only thing I would advise him is to change the league. He also knows that Feyenoord has already grown. I hope he will succeed because he deserves it. I keep my fingers crossed and let it not be Juventus.

You have been associated with Barcelona in the past. Are you already watching any clubs where you would like to work since the summer?

I look at the holidays where I would like to go. I'm happy in Naples right now, fighting for the title. This time I will focus only on it and see what will be in the summer.