Volland: “Social media a real danger”

Kevin Volland of Bayer 04 Leverkusen takes a very critical view of current developments in football. On the one hand, the striker criticizes the portrayal of the media; on the other, the Bayer star sees the social media as a danger, especially for younger players.

“You get the impression that either you scored a goal, then you played well. Or you didn’t score, then you played badly. That’s public perception. Either black or white,” the 26-year-old told the news portal t-online.

That’s why it’s all the more important that “your team, your coaching team and your closest friends know what you can do,” said Volland: “And that’s the case with us in the team. “We’ll hold on to that and fade out the other one a bit.”

Volland sees the importance and reach of social media as a major factor. “Many young fans want to see some spectacular tricks on Instagram, and videos about over-hikers generate a lot of clicks. But I don’t think that’s the essence of football.” It is especially dangerous for younger players, as the tone on social networks has become rougher. One is very fast at the top, but also fast again at the bottom, explained Volland.

“When I came up as a young player, I worked hard, I had to carry things onto the court, I looked up at the older players and I also got my socks – that was a time that shaped me and from which I profited”.