Growing up in Germany, Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel idolized Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. When it was reported that the World Cup winner was leaving Manchester United, only his second club, to join Chicago in MLS, Gressel was overjoyed.
“Now I’m in the same league as him and will hopefully I’ll play against him in June,” Gressel said Wednesday.
Schweinsteiger’s list of accomplishments in more than 500 appearances for Bayern Munich and in more than 100 appearances for the German national team are longer than his name: Eight Bundesliga titles, the Champions League title and the UEFA Super Cup with Munich, and the World Cup with Germany.
“I think it’s great that he joined this league because the league will get better because he’s that kind of guy that makes the team he’s in, the league he’s in better,” Gressel said.
Gressel grew up in Neustadt an der Aisch, Germany as a fan of Bayern Munich. He met his idol once at the stadium. Gressel thinks he was 10 years old and a guest of his grandfather. Schweinsteiger was injured and therefore not playing. They happened to ride up an elevator at the same time. Gressel thinks he shook Schweinsteiger’s hand.
“I don’t think he remembers me,” Gressel joked.
If Gressel continues his stellar play, he will almost certainly get to face Schweinsteiger when Atlanta United plays at Chicago on June 10.
The rookie played a part in Atlanta United's first goal in Saturday's 4-0 win over Chicago. After three consecutive starts, the website www.dirtysouthsoccer.com coined the phrase "Gresselmania," to describe how much the fans love the midfielder.
Gressel saw the phrase on Twitter over the weekend and said he likes it. He has no other nickname. He said he knows it’s borrowed from Wrestlemania. No, he doesn’t have a favorite wrestler.
“He’s come in and done great,” teammate Greg Garza said. “Being a pro and in your first game coming in and playing in front of 55,000 people. He’s done well in all three games with over 30,000 in Minnesota and another 45 in Atlanta. Congrats to him and hopefully it can go throughout the season.”
