Wilfried Zaha, or ‘Wilf’ as known by his friends and family, has always been connected to football even at a young age, his family’s house in Thornton Heath, London was next to Selhurst Park Stadium, the home stadium of his current club, Crystal Palace. The Abidjan born English football player took some time during his training in Sweden to speak to us all about football. From his rough start in London after his move from Ivory Coast, to playing for his home country, world cup predictions, to the state of players in the era of modern football. Despite many unfortunate circumstances, Zaha manages to thrive as a player and also as an individual, balancing between being a footballer, a father and a fashion mogul. In this interview, Zaha shares his story of hardship to glory. 

So, you moved to London from Ivory Coast when you were 4 with your big family, what was that like?

It was very hard, because we lived in a 3 bedroom house and there was a lot of us, but we just had to make do with what we had, it was difficult but very enjoyable at the same time, it made our family a lot closer. I actually loved it because I was next to my brothers and sisters all the time.

Growing up, who was your favourite player? Did they inspire you to do football professionally?

My favourite player growing up was Ronaldinho, he inspired me to become a football player as well. Because I loved the way he played, and his whole playing style is literally how I play myself.

I felt like I made the best decision because they believe in me so much, they believed in what I can do and add to the team.

You recently had a homecoming when you played for Ivory Coast, what was the turning point for you to finally say yes to them? Did it feel like a ‘full circle’ moment for you, being back?

I hadn’t played international football for years and Ivory Coast was still hard on my pursuit even though I turned them down a couple of times. And it just dawned on me that these people genuinely believe in me, because for me to turn them down and have them still hot on my trail, I thought this could only be the right decision. And I felt like I made the best decision because they believe in me so much, they believed in what I can do and add to the team. So yes, it felt amazing, it felt good coming back because I soon as I reached the airport the love was crazy, there was so many people at the airport even though I hadn’t even done anything for the team.

Unfortunately they didn’t qualify for the world cup. How did you feel about that?

I was very frustrated and angry because I felt like that was a massive opportunity for us, to go to the World Cup. We could have done it, but they never really gave us a starting chance. But it’s something that I just had to deal with, and we had to deal with as a team. What’s happened has happened now, we just have to move on.

How do you think Ivory Coast has managed since Didier Drogba’s retirement from international football in 2014? Do you think without him, they will come back to their glory?

There was a point where Didier Drogba was the best African strikers in the world Obviously he was a massive, massive part of the team. And there was quite a few massive players playing on the team as well but there was a point where Didier Drogba was the best African strikers in the world, so definitely he was missed because he was such a presence. But there are up and coming youngsters playing, so in time, there definitely will be glory.

Unfortunately, last night England lost their place in the Finals, do you have any predictions on who could win, and do you have any other team that you’re rooting for?

To be honest, I’m not rooting for anyone. But may the best team win.

What do you think of the position of a player in the era of modern football, that’s a little bit all over the place now, with the back and forth transfers of the players and the coming and goings of new managers?

The only crazy thing nowadays is the money that players go for I think this is how football’s always been, the only crazy thing nowadays is the money that players go for but, players come and go, managers come and go, and top clubs just wanna win. So if a manager isn’t doing as he should as soon as possible, they just let them go, so it’s a thing where you just have to deal with the circumstances. It’s difficult because you may sign for a team and the manager may leave because he may not be doing as they planned and you find yourself with another manager that doesn’t exactly like you as much. But yeah, it’s difficult but that’s just what you have to deal with in football nowadays.

Last season Crystal Palace was able to secure their place in the League when you beat Stoke City, how did you feel about the games leading up to that?

Well obviously it’s sad when you relegate a team but it had to be done. The games leading up to it was difficult, but we just had to stay focused and do it because we have a lot of quality in the team. I was nervous but quite confident in the team, coming up to that game.

All I can say is, some managers did not like me before

Can you tell us about your experience with working under legendary managers like Roy Hodgson, David Moyes, Frank De Boer, etc?

They’re all very different managers, and I went through different periods with them in my life. All I can say is, some managers did not like me before and for example Roy Hodgson had put me up for England but they didn’t ever play me, same with David Moyes when I was at Manchester United, he didn’t play me. And when Frank De Boer came to Crystal Palace, I never really got to play with him much because I was injured before. So all of my experiences with these managers just motivated me to prove a lot of people wrong. I just became stronger mentally to be the player I am now and going to be. I have become stronger and more focused.   

How significant was your shift from an attacking winger to a striker? Was that a big adjustment for you?

Yes it’s a totally different role for me, but I just had to do it. As a striker it’s really different because you can’t see all the time what’s behind you. I just had to run most of the time and yes, it was totally different, but I managed to adjust because I had a lot of practice and training so it wasn’t that hard. I felt like I adjusted well to that role. Because I don’t have to do as much, I’m in front of the goal, so it’s actually much easier than being a winger, because being a winger you have to firstly try to pass the full back and then you have midfielders that fill in then you get to the center backs. So there’s a lot to do there, but as a striker you are set a role. It’s not easy, but it’s easier.  

Were there any moments in your football career where you thought ‘Shouldn’t have done that’ or anything you wanted to do differently?

I feel like my life is a testament to God and He has given me the path, hard or easy Nope, I have no regrets in my career. Anything I do, I feel like my life is a testament to God and He has given me the path, hard or easy. I feel like everything I have done has made me the person and the player I am now, so I don’t think there’s anything I would have done differently.

Wilfried Zaha, footballer. We know him, but what do you like to do when you’re not training or not being a father? What are your other interests?

I like to hang out with my friends, I like to play FIFA, I like to eat in nice restaurants, I like to play table tennis, I like to play pool. There’s a few things, I like to just chill out. I don’t do a lot of things I just chill out and eat most of the time and spend time with my family, I don’t like to do too much.

So, what’s next for Wilfried Zaha? Are there any exciting things coming up that you’d like to share with your Indonesian fans? 

Well, there’s a lot more to come from me, a lot more skills, and a lot more goals. For me now, I’ve reached that age where it’s all about my stats, it’s all about what I add to the team, because there’s only so much I can do myself. There’s stuff I added to my game, working more as a team and now more goals, more assists. That’s what I’ve worked on, and that’s what I’ve accomplished to be a more fluent goal scorer.

Other than football, Zaha has also shared his love for fashion and that resulted in him creating his own clothing, you can find his brand Long Live Studios here.