On Monday evening, the International Socca Federation (ISF) announced that Norbert Jaszczak was recognized the best player in the world in 2024.
The Pole was the top scorer of the World Cup in Oman (he scored eight goals), at which our team reached the quarter -finals (lost to Romania after penalties). Jaszczak was also the top scorer of the Champions League, where his team – BJM Kraków – reached the grand finale (lost in penalty with Croatian Vrsar).
The title “Socca Hero”, i.e. The golden ball in this variety of football, Jaszczak was awarded on the basis of the results of the vote, in which all national federations participated. Each showed six – as in a six -person football – the best Piurters world. It turned out that the Pole collected the most points.
Łukasz Jachimiak: There was no gala, so please tell me what circumstances you learned that you were awarded a golden ball.
Norbert Jaszczak: I am in the army and I fell asleep a little because I have a hard day ahead. I regenerated, because from seven in the morning I have running, swimming pool, etc., but my friends woke me up with this news. I did not expect completely! I thought I would be in the best three. As it turned out that I am not the third, I thought “damn, the worst thing will be to be the second”. I didn't believe in the first place because we didn't win anything as a representation.
Let's explain to the fans that the International Socca Federation announced on Sunday a player who took second place and tension was graduated by her. Seeing that you are not at any of the places from six to the second, did you think you did not find yourself in the TOP 6?
– That's how I started thinking! However, I thought that it is a bit strange that I am not in the top 6. Because – damn! – How? The king of the World Cup did not deserve?
Then you probably remembered the famous “Le Cabaret” by Robert Lewandowski, who reacted so much that he was once not fitted in the top 10 golden ball?
– Oh yes!
We must probably explain to readers what you are doing in the army. I know that you recently told my colleague with Sport.pl, Dawid Szymczak, but I am still asking you for a few words on this subject, because many readers will be very surprised, reading that the guy got a golden ball and is in the army.
– I am a professional soldier. This is my job. In the morning I get up and go to the unit.
So you didn't work out with Puszcza Niepołomice? In January you were on tests at this first league club and you said at Sport.pl: “I either land in the first league cloakroom or in military barracks. You know where I would prefer.”
– We thanked ourselves, damn. Unfortunately, it was not good financially, they did not want to invest in me.
On the one hand, I am sorry that you have not managed to reach a nice club in classic football again, on the other hand you can be an inspiration for many, because you show that if you fail somewhere, you can look for a place elsewhere and become there someone best in the world.
– Yes, I am an example that if you fail in one discipline, there are always different gates.
Apparently, on March 15 you will be able to see you in the Polish national team as part of the tournament in Kalisz. Do you already have a pass from the army?
– I have already talked about it. I will be on tournament. All you need is a pass for one day, on Friday. Because the tournament will be on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
You will play the World Cup 2025 in Mexico?
– Yes, in Mexico. In December.
And will you get such a long pass?
– Yes. A letter will go to the unit from the national team and I will get a pass. I will only have to be fine all year round, work hard and then there will be no problem. When I am fine with the army, the army will be fine with me.
All right, but how do you really reconcile being a soldier with being a footballer, if you have to work as a soldier every day? Shooting from a rifle will not replace you with a shooting training with the ball.
– There is no problem, I can do it. In the army I work every day from 7am to 3pm, and later I can train.
Will you have strength for this?
– There is a lot of physicality in the army, a lot of running, a lot of it all, but that's good. Thanks to this I will be in shape. And football trainings are after 3pm.
Do you have a unit close to your home?
– Yes, I even live at a military estate in Krakow and I also have the unit here.
So the plan is that next year you become the best player in the world again? Only probably to the title of the King of the World Cup would you like to add a medal?
– I definitely wish that everything I had in 2024 would happen to me individually, but I would get this medal with the staff.