Bayern Munich youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic has revealed the difficulties he endured as a child when playing for the Bavarians’ youth system.
Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, 20, has admitted that he had physical problems as a child that left him with little pace and strength, which he still needs to improve, he told Sabener51 magazine on Friday.
Pavlovic was regarded by Bayern Munich youth coaches as a technically skilled and talented player, but lacked strength and pace, which were limitations for him as a modern footballer who is trying to improve in every aspect.
‘For example, when I was in the U15s team Promotion ufabet, I was always the smallest in the team. I entered adolescence late and was physically weak. Everyone else had beards and I felt like I was only 120 centimetres tall,’ Pavlovic said.
The 20-year-old midfielder added that the problems he had as a child forced him to improve. ‘I had to learn to fight, to deal with obstacles and to try to improve myself. When you are the smallest, you have less time, so I had to learn to play faster with every move.’
Pavlovic’s story is similar to that of Bayern Munich’s 34-year-old striker Thomas Müller, who was physically awkward and lacked strength, which led him to develop the mental side of his game and become a key player for the Bavarians and enjoy great success in his career.