Mats Hummels, Roma’s new defensive signing, has opened up about his unfortunate debut for the club, which saw him score an own goal just four minutes after coming on as a substitute in a 5-1 defeat against Fiorentina. Speaking on his podcast, Hummels approached the incident with a sense of humor, describing it as “the cherry on top of things that didn’t go well.”
The German defender, known for his illustrious career with Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, made light of the situation, saying, “Things can only get better from here. I don’t know what else to expect. I asked myself: what’s the best way to start a career at such an important club? An own goal after four minutes when you’re already 4-1 down is really bad. It’s so ironic that I can only take it with humor.”
Hummels also shared his thoughts on the recent Ballon d’Or awards, particularly addressing the controversy surrounding Real Madrid players. He criticized the use of terms like “disrespectful” when referring to not winning the award, comparing it to Trumpian rhetoric. “It’s unfortunate and disrespectful to other players,” Hummels stated. “There’s no doubt that someone from Real Madrid deserves it. But there are other extraordinary players who are just as good. It’s a shame not to honor them.”
The veteran defender acknowledged that some teams have faced more significant penalties in international football. He concluded with a touch of wit, saying, “The last place in the Ballon d’Or is the best last place in the world.”