Willy Vogt was born in Brazil and his ambition is to one day meet his hero Neymar. For the moment, he wants to put his own Samba skills into practice and help make his own name in European football with Motherwell.
Neymar, who retired from the Brazilian national team after the World Cup, made his name as one of the world’s top talents from his time at Barcelona and Paris St-Germain. Vogt has started to make a name for himself in claret and amber. Now he wants to help the Steelmen get past HJK in the first-leg of tonight’s Conference League qualifier in Helsinki.
Idol and identity
The 24-year-old said: “So my absolute idol growing up was Neymar. My cousin had the chance (to meet him). He met him in Brazil when he was still playing at Santos. But hopefully maybe someday, we'll see.”
“I was about four or five years old (when I moved from Brazil to Switzerland). If I feel comfortable at a club, if I get the full commitment from the trainers, from the players, that I can show what I'm capable of, sometimes the Brazilian flair comes out. Sometimes it's good for the game, sometimes maybe not. But that's part of my identity.”
Transfer to Motherwell
Motherwell signed the talented attacker from AZ Bellinzona in the summer. The move was initially pitched by Jens Berthel Askou but then Alfred Johansson replaced him and pushed the transfer through.
The new Motherwell player confirmed: “It was pretty early on, I'd say before the transfer window even started. We had talks with me, my agent, Nick (Daws, head of recruitment) and the old trainer. From then on, it was just a match for me but then something changed and it took time. A new coach came in. Delightfully for me, he was also interested and keen to get me to Motherwell.”
“I did my homework after meeting the first one with Motherwell and the whole club, the playing style, is just a perfect match for me and the club. It's even better when a new coach comes in and has the same values in terms of playing style. From the first to the second meeting I was excited to make the step.”
European opportunity
A big thing for the Swiss under-age cap was getting the chance to play in European football. He played his part in the last round, winning the penalty away to Havnar Boltfelag. He is looking to chip in with even more goals and assists.
Vogt added: “Of course, it’s one of the reasons I decided to come to Motherwell, because it's a big opportunity. I think, for every football player who dreams of becoming professional to play European football. It's been a big part of the decision. But also, everything about the whole project, from the board to the trainer, was just perfect for me and a logical step in my career to do this.”
“I’d like to say that the boys are very kind, very helpful. They did everything to make me feel welcomed at the club, outside the pitch also, by helping me getting an apartment, going out to eat, just for me to have this feeling that I'm at the right place.”
Strong start and fan support
Motherwell have opened up under Johansson with three wins and a 100% start. He said: “Yes, three games, three wins, one goal conceded. That's something we need to be proud of as of today. But tomorrow is a whole new game, a new opponent. It's going to be difficult at their stadium on an artificial pitch. They play some good offensive football and we try to do our best. We did our homework and we came here to win it.”
Motherwell will have a sold-out away allocation. Vogts proudly claimed: “I mean, it's just incredible. Like the coach said, it's not every day the fanbase is traveling away in Europe with such a big number. It's just incredible and we feel that commitment from the fans. They show us that they have our backs, either if we play at home, play away or even play in Europe.”
