Wynton Rufer, a legendary figure in his homeland of New Zealand, was recently interviewed about his time at Werder Bremen and his current work in developing young talents in New Zealand. Rufer, who played for Werder Bremen from 1989 to 1994, scored 59 goals in 174 league matches, making him one of the two New Zealanders to have played in the Bundesliga.
Rufer now runs a youth football school in Auckland, where he mentors the best talents in New Zealand and aims to bring them to Germany for training opportunities. He recently visited Niedersachsen to lead two children’s football camps and discussed his plans for the future in an interview. Rufer emphasized the importance of maintaining contacts with clubs like Hannover 96 and Werder Bremen to facilitate the exchange of young talents between New Zealand and Germany.
Reflecting on his time as a player, Rufer shared insights into his successful adaptation to German football and the challenges he faced with language and cultural differences. Despite being approached by the Swiss national team, Rufer remained committed to representing New Zealand, where he felt a strong sense of identity and belonging.
Rufer’s unique penalty-taking technique, characterized by his ability to outwit goalkeepers, was a topic of discussion in the interview. He explained the strategy behind his success and mentioned current players like Bryan Mbeumo, who have adopted a similar approach to taking penalties. Rufer’s experience and expertise in this area have left a lasting impact on the football community.
In addition to his football career, Rufer opened up about a health scare he experienced in 2019 when he suffered a heart attack. Despite the serious nature of the incident, Rufer maintained a positive outlook and credited his faith for helping him through the recovery process. He expressed gratitude for the second chance at life and emphasized the importance of finding peace and tranquility in challenging times.
As Rufer continues his work in developing young talents and promoting football in New Zealand, he remains an influential figure in the sport. His commitment to nurturing the next generation of players and sharing his knowledge and experiences serves as a testament to his enduring legacy in football.
For those interested in pursuing opportunities at Wynton Rufer’s football school, more information can be found on the website wynrs.co.nz. Rufer’s dedication to fostering talent and promoting the sport highlights the impact of his contributions to football both on and off the field.
