Mainz’s Nadiem Amiri speaks on “statements and stupid messages” ahead of more press honours | OneFootball

Mainz 05 head coach Bo Henriksen – speaking at his post-match press conference on Sunday- proudly stated that his team had “beaten every big Bundesliga side except Leverkusen” this season. Interestingly enough, it was a former disgraced Bayer 04 Leverkusen player who led the way in yesterday’s massive statement 1-2 away win at Leipzig. Nadiem Amiri’s career revival in the Pfälzer capital continues.

When the former German international nixed multiple away transfers (Notably to Leeds) in the autumn of 2023, it appeared as if he would be permanently blacklisted in German football. Few, if any, expected that a winter transfer to Mainz would immediately turn him into a leader who helped rescue the Rheinhessen from relegation.

Amiri led the way against the German Red Bulls once again on Sunday, featuring in both Mainz goals in the second half that enabled the guests to overpower a tired Leipzig and complete a comeback win. Amiri notched the 1-1 himself in the 52nd, then set up Johnny Burkardt’s 1-2 a mere four minutes later.

Kicker opted to have a spot of fun with Amiri on Sunday evening, first publishing his post-match comments before selecting him for his most impressive fifth “team-of-the-week” honor thus far this season.

Amiri’s performance on the scoresheet (five goals and four assists) this season has been nothing short of incredible for a deep midfielder. In the article, Amiri joked that his social media feed would blow up whenever he found himself selected for the team-of-the-week without registering a goal or assist.

“In the end, it was an absolute statement [win],” Amiri noted in the article. “We came back and played like Mainz 05. We took the next step. I’ll take it. Whenever I miss [chances] and get selected for the Kicker team-of-the-week, I get 500 stupid messages.”

GGFN | Peter Weis