As of: February 24, 2024, 8:23 a.m
By: Andreas Knobloch
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Anyone who is so good at their sport that people call them “Messi” has actually made it.
Patrick Schnetzer is called that.
Vienna - He will go down in history as one of the greatest footballers.
Lionel Messi, the Argentine didn't just make himself immortal with his World Cup title in Qatar, no, he was already a legend before that.
He has been enchanting opponents and fans with his left foot for almost 20 years.
Anyone who is compared to him can feel praised.
The same goes for Patrick Schnetzer, who is an eight-time world champion. Unfortunately, very few people know him.
“Many people say Messi to me”: Patrick Schnetzer still jokes about the last prize money
“Many people say Messi to me,” says Schnetzer in an interview with the Austrian
Today
.
The 30-year-old from Vorarlberg has already won the World Championship eight times and the European Championship seven times.
Significantly more world championship titles than Messi.
But that gives him little reason for arrogance.
“I'm not conceited,” says Schnetzer and explains why: “I only received 50 euros for my tournament victory last weekend in Schwechat.” That's what life is like as a cyclist.
Radball is soccer on a bike.
The only difference is that the ball is not kicked with the foot, but with the hoop.
On special two-wheelers, Schnetzer can do just about anything within the 11x14 meter field with small boards.
He is considered the best cycling player in the world, the Messi of the scene.
“Anyone can kick the ball with their foot.
It's an art on a bike.
You need balance, strength and a lot of feeling,” said the 30-year-old.
The game is played two against two.
Dream goal went viral on TikTok: Radball Messi but more for BVB than FCB
His bike costs 3,500 euros and his speed with the front wheel is 90 km/h.
However, this is not his main job - in contrast to Messi, who recently became a world footballer, Schnetzer still has to work 40 hours a week.
“We train in the evening - also mentally.
Our sport is fast.
There are many counterattacks, the goalie scores goals.
For us, a final ends 7:6 or 8:6 and not 0:0 like in football,” said Schnetzer, who also said: “Unfortunately, cycling ball is difficult to learn.
We’re on the bike 99 percent of the time.”
Two things are similar to football: spectacular goals and duels between Austria and Germany.
“That’s when victories are the best,” says the Austrian about games against the neighboring country.
A training video now has several million views.
“The potential is there.
The sport is spectacular,” he tells
Today
.
Under his Tiktok video, fans joke: “Bayern has already finished the contract,” to which Schnetzer simply replies: “I would prefer BVB.” And the Radball Messi also answers the famous “CR7 or Messi” question Of course with: “Messi”.
(ank)