Mbark Boussoufa: I am a simple man – why would I need security guards?

Moscow and spare time

Have you already decided on your housing?

Not really. I will most likely live outside of the city and now I’m searching for an apartment or a house near to the training camp. It’s not easy, but everything should be decided already by the end of the next week. Until then I will stay at a hotel.

Is it the traffic jam that made you decide to live outside of the city?

No, the traffic is really not a problem. As far as I understand, jams are a usual thing in Moscow. If you live in such a city, it’s strange to complain about them, you just have to put up with it. However, I can understand the drivers, they get tired quickly. After all, I do not drive myself, I just sit and wait until we arrive. Usually it takes an hour, but sometimes it’s longer, if we’re not lucky enough.

So what is a problem for you then? For example, not all people in Russia can speak English.

Perhaps, yes, not all of them do. But after all it is normal that everyone around speaks Russian. People live in Russia, so they don’t need to learn English. A real problem is that I don’t speak Russian. In our team there are four or maybe five players that can speak English. But we have an interpreter for those purposes, that’s how we all communicate.

Doesn’t it not seem strange to you that a Makhachkala team trains in Moscow Region?

Everyone who sees this training camp will understand why we train here. It has some tremendous equipment, nice landscape, good pitches. And it’s also quiet – not like in Moscow. We have the best conditions for training there.

And how do you like it in Moscow?

Oh, as of now it is the best thing I’ve seen in Russia. There are a lot of opportunities to have a good time here. For example, Moscow really has many restaurants, you can always discover something new. I love Italian, Japanese, and, well, all cuisines in general. But most of all, of course, I like the Italian one.

How do you spend your free time here?

As I have already said, I’m fond of eating. Actually, I am a guy like many others, so I don’t go out too much. I like to stay at the hotel, watch some TV series, listen to music. I mostly watch Californication and Entourage. In general I’m a huge fan of American TV series, I advise you to watch some.

And what about shopping? Judging by your Twitter, you’re a fan of Gucci.

I really enjoy buying things. Beautiful clothes are always pleasant. But I’m not really obsessed with Gucci! It’s all just because I try to share photos with my supporters, when I buy something new, so that they would know what I’m doing. In fact, I don’t have that much of Gucci in my wardrobe. In fact, I like to buy footwear the most.

And how many pairs of footwear do you have?

I can’t say precisely, but there are a lot of them really, by various brands. But the majority are Nikes, of course.

Your Twitter also suggests you’re a big fan of 50 Cent.

It’s true. We have even met at a concert in Brussels. I was very happy to get acquainted with him, we’ve even made a photo together.

What do you think of Russian music?

I listen to the radio from time to time, so I hear the most popular songs as a rule. Some of them I really like and my favourite track is called ‘The Desert Rain’. I do not remember the girl’s name, but the music is classy.

Belgium and the move to Russia

What was your vivd impression in Belgium?

In Anderlecht we’ve always had a very cheerful atmosphere. Once a teammate of ours came to the training camp in a Smart car and we decided to play a trick on him. While he was inside, we put his car in nearby container – that was easy. Imagine his astonishment when he went outside and saw where his car was.

And what did Belgians make of your move to Russia? Were they afraid for you?

Yes, there was something of that kind. The thing is that Belgians know very little about Russian football and for them Dagestan is not associated with sports in any way. In addition to that, journalists like to pile on the pressure. I came here to play footbal, what kind of problems do you expect to happen?

Terek Grozny representatives argue that in fact you did pay attention to your safety, demanding four bodyguards to accompany you.

It’s sad that some people are trying to cast a slur on my reputation. Usually I ignore such statements. The thing is that nobody of the people who know me presonally will ever believe that I could demand something like that. I am a simple man, I only play football – why would I need some security guards? Can you see them here? They also said something about 25 business class airplane tickets. Isn’t it obvious that I have a good salary and can afford to buy them by myself?

Some people believe that you train near Moscow because it is more safe here.

I even don’t know what to say to that. We can train here or in Dagestan. There’s no problem about that. It’s just that the facilities here are better than in Makhachkala.

Quincy and reputation

You are good friends with Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. What did he tell you about Russia?

He said Moscow is a nice city and the level of football in Russia is very high.

Oh, really? A year ago he used to say that he regretted his move to Russia.

Maybe he was very upset when was he spoke about it. Anyway, he really told me a different thing.

How long do you know each other?

Quincy and I have grown up in the same neighborhood. Back then the part of Amsterdam where we lived was considered one of the most dangerous ones, but now, fortunately, the things have come to normal. Each city has such neighborhoods and everybody should know what life is like there.

Did you have a lot of troubles?

Yes, a lot of different things occurred than. However, I was always lucky to stay away from such situations. I even didn’t fight during football matches, though there happened to be all sorts of guys on the pitch – our neighbours weren’t always like Nigel de Jong or Clarence Zeedorf, who also learnt to play football in the streets.

It seems like your reputation is said to be impeccable not without a reason. No brawls, no alcohol…

Is all due to the education my parents gave me and the respect for myself and other people. You should certainly know that my religion does not allow me to drink alcohol. I also don’t eat pork. I just observe all the rules.

And do you go to night clubs?

I do sometimes. There is nothing bad about it. You may always relax with your friends and you don’t have to get drunk for that. For example, I only drink soft drinks even at night clubs. In Russia, though, I’ve been to a place like that only once – at Roberto Carlos’s party.

Did you like it?

Yes, it was awesome.

by Vladislav Voronin

Images: Regina Khanova