Dan Glazer, the Maccabi Tel Aviv midfielder who just returned to the club from a year and half loan spoke about his competitiveness, getting called up to the National Team, his inspiration, brothers and what the future may hold in this intimate interview:

“I’ve been competitive in everything I’ve done my whole life. I remember when I was a child we would play games during recess at school and I was always looking for a way to win. When I lose it still bothers me a lot. It’s always tough to go home and sit quietly.”

Competing with his brothers:
“I don’t even let up with my brothers. There’s a schoolyard that I’ll go to with them and play a game where we try to hit the crossbar. We are very competitive and those who lose will have to clear the table, do the dishes or take the dog out for a walk. Thankfully they’re the ones doing all the work at home until they can beat me.”

Siblings:
“We are three brothers who play at Maccabi Tel Aviv with two in the Youth Academy as well as the Israel National Team. I remember that when we were younger it was always a challenge to keep up with the schedules, where and when we were playing and who was going to watch who. At least they are playing for the same team or else it would have been impossible for my parents. We are great friends. I give them a lot of tips and I learn plenty from them as well, both in football and in life. It’s great that we all play football and it’s amazing to see how they continue to develop.”

On loan:
“I had a good time at Maccabi Netanya. I was a starter and the team did really well. It’s a good place for younger players, but I am a Maccabi Tel Aviv player. I felt that I was a good player four-five years ago but I wasn’t sure what my level exactly was. However, after last season at Netanya I felt that I could play for Maccabi Tel Aviv. When Maccabi calls you, you can’t say no. I’m really happy that up until now I was correct.”

Improving:
“The reason I’m succeeding is because I am playing just as I did the past few seasons in the Leumit League and the past couple in the Premier League. I am learning more and more and how to battle when coming back or how to hold a lead and how to continue on after a poor performance. I am very aware as to what I need to work on and where I did to improve. But I also know that I have to help the team out with numbers and by scoring. I hope that I will continue to improve as the season continues on.”

Gal Alberman:
“At the start of the season I told Yoav Ziv that I wanted to wear number 6 and that it would really be special for me as Gal Alberman wore that number. I remember going to watch Gal at every training session that I could to see how he stands, his mentality, his technique and his tactics on the pitch. It’s no secret that he is my role model who had a great career and who is an amazing person. I hope that I can be as good as he was and that Maccabi will have yet another quality #6.”

Getting called up for the Israel National Team:
“I was having lunch with a friend when all of sudden I received a message from my brother saying that I was called up for the National Team. I didn’t realize that they were announcing the team that day and I didn’t pay attention to the message. But then I began receiving tons of congratulations and I didn’t understand what was going on. My father called me all excited and I had a moment where I said, ‘Wow’ I have just realized a dream. I had always dreamed about being in the Israel squad. I hope that I can stay there as it’s the goal of every footballer. It’s great to be with the National Team.”

Fan song:
“A friend of mine tagged me on Facebook saying how Rami Weisz was calling me Don Leon. My middle name is Leon and many friends call me that just to bother me. It’s great that this may be the song the fans have for me.”

The future:
“I’m taking my first degree at Kiryat Ono and it’s great that I’ll have this. I hope that after many good years as a footballer I’ll be able to work with younger players and If I can succeed in this area and help them then that will be really terrific. I hope that we will be in Europe next season and we will begin early but if not then I’ll get laser surgery on my eyes.”

Where will Dan Glazer be in ten years?
“I hope that I will be able to play in another country one day and then come back and play for Maccabi. I want to be an Israel National Team player and a family man because family is very important for me. And most of all I want to be satisfied from football.”