DFB Pokal Nader El-Jindaoui
“Fought for this whole life” – Hertha’s internet star’s big day
Status: 07.12.2023 | Reading time: 2 minutes
Anyone who takes a penalty in the shootout on their professional debut must have self-confidence: Nader El-Jindaoui converts
Quelle: Getty Images/Maja Hitij
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Hertha BSC has a professional who has seven times more followers than the entire club. So far, Nader El-Jindaoui has only been used in the reserves. He proved that it is more than just a marketing stunt in the cup thriller against HSV.
After Hertha’s cup win on Wednesday evening against HSV, the name most often called out was a substitute offensive player who had made his professional debut. “Nader, Nader,” 27-year-old Nader El-Jindaoui heard from many mouths as he walked down the stairs into the catacombs of the Olympic Stadium with his wife Louisa and daughter Imani.
Because El-Jindaoui is not only a footballer, but also an internet star. 1.75 million have subscribed to the couple’s YouTube channel, which has provided insights into their lives for years.
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But on Wednesday the offensive player was the focus as a professional footballer. “I still don’t realize it,” he said. “That’s incredible. I fought for it my whole life.”
He moved to Hertha in the summer of 2022, having previously played for Berliner AK in the Regionalliga Nordost. Even there, among the not exactly numerous spectators, there were always a few handfuls of fans who came to the games just for him and tried to get a selfie.
“I am a footballer”
At Hertha, El-Jindaoui has only played in competitive games for the U23s. Until Hertha’s coach Pal Dardai sent him onto the field in the 80th minute of the game on Wednesday. He made it 3-3 with a change of wing and then converted another penalty in the penalty shootout with great confidence. You have to have the nerve first, the technically skilled player certainly doesn’t lack self-confidence. “At the end of the day it was football,” said the Berliner. “Even though some people like to say I’m an influencer. I’m a footballer.”
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There was also praise from Dardai. “When he trains with us, he trains for his life. I honored that,” he said: “Hands up whoever says they don’t have any balls.”
In addition to his sporting value, the 27-year-old also has economic value for Hertha. Last year he is said to have boosted jersey sales and the prospect of his professional debut on Wednesday is said to have brought more people to the Olympic Stadium.
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Given the following numbers, this is not surprising. Hertha BSC has 314,000 followers on Instagram. El-Jindaoui is followed by more than 2.1 million people. But he proved on Wednesday evening in the Olympic Stadium that it is more than just a marketing stunt.
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