Alexander Schlager is the number one goalkeeper for FC Red Bull Salzburg and the Austrian national team. What has helped him? The insight that the toughest opponent is always yourself. Schlager was trained in the Red Bull Academy and after loans in Grödig and Leipzig as well as stations at the Vienna club FAC and LASK, he made his debut in Salzburg in 2023. Behind him lie moments of doubt after a cruciate ligament injury, in front of him the fulfillment of his World Cup dream. Schlager is very ambitious and was even overambitious until a few years ago. If you put too much pressure on yourself, that's overambition. Schlager spends a lot of time reflecting on what he has and what he can do. This helps him to remember how he grew up. Schlager loves football and is simply grateful that he can turn his hobby into a profession. And he keeps this attitude even in phases when it doesn't work out. The feeling in the stadium is incredible. You quickly know why you're putting in all the effort. Schlager is aware that his life is not normal. He has no bad childhood, but his parents worked day and night to make sure everything was okay for him and his siblings. That's why he's grateful that he can turn his hobby into a profession.