Interview with the best player of 2017, Máté Lékai

 

The Hungarian Handball Federation announced the bests of 2017 yesterday. The best male player turned out to be Máté Lékai, the center back of Telekom Veszprém and the Hungarian national team. We made an interview with him upon this occasion.

 

 

It is a huge honor. I am very happy that I could receive this award. This may be the biggest personal trophy of my career. If I look back at my career one day, I will have sweet memories of this award. I did not expect it to be me who wins; I do not really care about such things. I was aware that 2017 might have been the best year of my career, so I am happy that I was acknowledged that way.

 

It is inconceivable really. When I started playing handball it never occurred to me that I could be a first division player in Hungary, or that I will play in the national team, or that I will represent my country on Olympic Games, nor that I will play in the Champions League final. It never went through my head that I could be Player of the Year in Hungary one day. We have many great players in our country that is why it fills me with such pride that I won this award.

 

The biggest milestone, I would say, was when my mother put me in a primary school specialized in Physical Education and I started playing handball. If it had not happened, I would probably not play handball right now because nobody in our family played handball ever. Another big milestone was when I signed with PLER-Budapest. I got a great chance there, as the club had financial difficulties, which led me to play in the first team. The next milestone was when I left PLER in a good time, to a good team. I have built my career well I think, I always took one-step further. I signed with Szeged from Pest, where the team was under construction as well but I think I was able to take that step too. After this, I went to a foreign team just to see what it is like living abroad and to learn a young Southern-Slavic handball school. It had a great effect on my career. Another step was when I signed with Veszprém. My first 2-3 years did not happen as I wanted it to be, I did not play as much as I wanted but I am not that type who just gives up. I continued to work hard, I tried to be better and fight for more chances. This chance came last year, and this year totally. Now that there are more players in center back, I do not know what the future holds, but I hope my performance will not drop, but go even higher. I will do my best whatever happens. I would like to thank all my coaches; I would not mention them by name because I am afraid I would leave someone out. Of course, I would like to thank all my teammates I have ever played with in the national team or in my clubs. I had the fortune to play with many world-class players.

 

 

My life moved to the better way in every aspect. I found peace and happiness in my private life, and I got the long awaited opportunity in handball from Xavi and Ljubo, that I was able to live with. I tried to use it to the fullest.

 

Although we did not win many games at the French World championship, we managed to clinch a surprise win against Denmark with the national team. We qualified for the European championship without doubt so I would say I am satisfied with the year at the national team. Naturally, it would have been great to be World champion but it did not happen. On the other hand, I am not satisfied with the year in Veszprém; I have to tell you that. We lost the final of the SEHA League, which may be least hurtful out of all the competitions. The fact that we were there in Champions League Final4 for the 4th time in a row is a huge result but I have a bitterness that we could not win it yet. I was disappointed after the tournament, because although we won in Sunday, the whole thing was a failed campaign. I hope that we will perform better this year. I was happy for staying on top of Hungary in every domestic competition by winning the championship and the Cup.

 

 

The preparations went well; we had free time until 2 January, which was well deserved, even though we are not that exhausted as we were last year. It was hard to get back on track at first. We played well on the games against Sweden but of course, we cannot be satisfied because we did not win any of the games. We still have 2 trainings until the start of the championship, where we will practice tactics for Denmark and will work on the small details. I cannot wait for it to start. I hope that a lot of Hungarian fans will come and make us feel at home during the games.

 

The goals are always the same in Veszprém every year. We want to win everything. Naturally we would like to win the double in Hungary, while in the Champions League, there cannot be any other expectations than to go all the way, and bring back home the trophy. There are a lot of good teams who would like to do the same but we work and fight hard to finally achieve the Champions League triumph.

 

Never give up!

 

 

Photo: Dávid Vörös