GET THE BALL ROLLING

Two football players stand on a pitch, smiling at each other. One is wearing a black and orange shirt; the other is dressed in a white top with black shorts.

GET THE BALL ROLLINGWith Robert Lewandowski and Ebru Önal

Football isn’t just for pros. For this summer of sports, it’s time to get on the pitch — whatever your level.

31 May 2024 · 1 min read

“Pure happiness” is how Robert Lewandowski describes his first time playing football. The pitch was far from perfect (there was no green grass in sight), and he certainly wasn’t a world-class player. Yet taking those first steps as a beginner was a joyful experience — and it turned out to be life-changing. Lewandowski is the perfect example of practice making perfect. The 35 year old now captains the Polish national team and is one of the most recognisable faces in football, but even he was a beginner once. Alongside Zalando, he’s celebrating getting active at all levels for this sports-filled summer.

KICK-OFF ESSENTIALS

Lewandowski stars alongside Ebru Önal, a world-class EA FC gamer and content creator whose fast-paced FIFA tutorials and player reviews have amassed her a huge TikTok following. The video sees Ebru taken back to her novice days: dropping off a virtual game, she finds herself launched into the centre of an IRL pitch, playing alongside Lewandowski. The resulting match isn’t about winning but about the experience of playing — connecting with others, being taken out of your comfort zone and enjoying the ride. Trying new things without judgment is in for 2024, so get involved. Who knows, maybe you’ll make some progress towards what Lewandowski sees as his ultimate goal — “not always to be a better player, but a better person.”

Lewandowski is the perfect example of practice making perfect. The 35 year old now captains the Polish national team, but even he was a beginner once.