“It’s the biggest stage” | OneFootball

Rasmus Kristensen looks ahead to the “next level” Champions League, speaks highly of the city and club, and reflects on the 2024/25 season.

Rasmus, how would you describe your contribution to the success of the past season? “It’s obviously the dream of any footballer to be an important player and achieve your goals with the team. I’m just happy that I could help the team.”

What does it mean to you to be able to play in the UEFA Champions League? “It’s the biggest stage, Europe’s premier competition. It’s excellent, next level – the best there is in club football.”

As we know, Eintracht have a special relationship with European competition – partly because of the fans who follow you everywhere. How much does that spur you on as a team? “The support we experienced last season was just phenomenal. You don’t get that kind of support in football very often. I think we as a team have a special connection to our fans. We know we always have to give everything. We do give everything in every match, the fans give everything – together we had a great season. It could be very special on Champions League evenings in the coming season, especially at our stadium.”

Midtjylland, Rome and Amsterdam: the 2024/25 Europa League campaign was a personal journey through time for you. What did you make of it? “It was certainly very special. After the league phase with Midtjylland and Roma, I laughed out loud when we were drawn against Ajax. It was nice to go back to those three places – there were some great moments.”

We saw how important identification is to you in the Europa League away game against your home club FC Midtjylland in late November, when you came on as a substitute. The stadium rose to its feet and chanted your name. What did that evening mean to you and what does it say about the player Rasmus Kristensen? “I’m a player who always gives everything for his club. On that day, I had the wonderful experience of receiving love back from the Midtjylland fans. It’s my hometown club, I was born and raised there and know everyone, so it was a very special moment for me. I hope I get the same applause when I eventually play my last match for Eintracht (laughs).”

Would you say you’re famous in Denmark? “No, not at all. I’m the right-back in the national team, they’re never the most popular player (laughs).”

Before the final stages of the season, you signed a permanent contract with Eintracht until 2029. “It came from both sides, from me and from the club – it’s just been a great fit since the beginning. I feel really at home here, as do my family. That’s the most important thing, and so the decision was easy for me. Everything suits me here: the people, the football, the club’s mentality and the fans. I hope I’ll do well in the coming years. I also became a father for the first time here in Frankfurt, right at the start of the season – he’s a Frankfurter (laughs)!”

What makes Eintracht special, then? “The fans are phenomenal. I already knew before my move that Eintracht have a big fan base, but I never expected the atmosphere to be as good as it is. Frankfurt is so much more than just football, but the fact that football is so important in this city was another reason why I absolutely wanted to stay here. Another thing I love about Frankfurt: I feel the love of the fans in the stadium, but when I’m walking around the city, everything’s normal and I’m just like everybody else. It’s all calm, which is great.”