Vladimir Coufal #5

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Long overlooked due to his slight build, Coufal was told at 17 by coaches at Czech club Banik Ostrava that he would never make a living from football. He was quick and determined, but too small and easily outmuscled in duels. At that time, he hated football. “But I promised myself I’d prove them all wrong. I’m a bit of a madman who likes chasing his dreams,” he said. True recognition only came at 26, when he was signed by Slavia Prague and went on to win three consecutive league titles before making a surprise move to the Premier League. “At first I thought they had the wrong name. Why would they sign a veteran?” he joked of his move to West Ham. In London he enjoyed a fairytale spell, culminating in winning the Europa Conference League. But after five years he found himself on the periphery with the Hammers. Again, though, he refused to give up. Now 33, he has rebuilt his career at Hoffenheim and is playing arguably his best football.

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