Nader El-Jindaoui - "I am a footballer": The Tiktok star who shot Hertha into the quarter-finals
After Hertha BSC's cup win against Hamburger SV, the loudest call was for a substitute attacking player who was celebrating 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.
El-Jindaoui is not only a footballer, but also an internet star. He has two million followers on Instagram. 1.75 million have subscribed to the couple's YouTube channel, where they have been giving insights into their lives for years.
But on Wednesday, the focus was on the offensive player as a professional footballer. "I still haven't realized it," he said. "This is unbelievable. I've fought my whole life for this."
Nader El-Jindaoui: From the regional league to the DFB quarter-finals
He joined Hertha in the summer of 2022, but only made appearances in competitive matches for the U23s. Until coach Pal Dardai sent him onto the pitch in the 80th minute on Wednesday. He initiated the 3:3 with a wing change and then converted a penalty in the penalty shoot-out with great aplomb. "At the end of the day, it was soccer," said the Berliner. "Even if some people like to say I'm an influencer. I am a footballer."
Dardai was also full of praise. "When he trains with us, he trains for life. I have honored that," he said. "Hands up anyone who says he has no balls." In addition to his sporting value, the 27-year-old also has an economic value for Hertha. Last year, he is said to have boosted jersey sales and the prospect of his professional debut on Wednesday brought more people to the Olympic Stadium.
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Source: www.stern.de
