Amiri: “I’m not going to become a magician on the pitch”

The number 10 shirt has long been associated with legends of the game, central midfielders who pull the strings and control the game: Diego Maradona, Lothar Matthäus, Pelé and Lionel Messi all wore, or still wear in Messi’s case, the iconic number. “It’s a special number,” said Nadiem Amiri, who will wear the 10 for Mainz 05 from this season onwards. The change also underlines his intention to take on an even greater leadership role – on the pitch and beyond.

At the end of the day, it’s just a number, and Amiri isn’t interested in drawing comparisons with those greats. “I’m not going to become a magician on the pitch. I’ll still be working hard, throwing myself into every situation and delivering exactly what’s expected of me,” he said in a media round at the team’s training camp in Hopfgarten-Markt.

Vice-captain Amiri: “We’ve got a spine that leads the team”

The Germany international is clearly enjoying life at FSV – a fact that shines through in his interactions with teammates at the summer training camp in Tyrol. “I’ve got a contract until 2028 and I didn’t just extend it for the sake of it,” he said. Feeling at home has also been helped by his place in the leadership group, with Amiri stepping in behind Silvan Widmer in the captaincy order. “Silvan is outstanding. He’s a top captain. The way he’s handled his situation, supported us and kept the team together has been brilliant,” stressed Amiri. “We’ve got a spine that leads the group. Silvan is still number one. If he’s not on the pitch, then I’ll wear the armband.”

Despite Jonny Burkardt’s departure to Eintracht Frankfurt, Amiri believes the squad is in a strong position heading into a season that promises plenty of challenges. “We performed really well throughout last season, no matter who was on the pitch. And we’ve brought in some quality new players too,” he said, highlighting the depth of the squad. One example is returning loanee Ben Bobzien, who Amiri believes can take another step forward, while he also sees huge potential in Nelson Weiper. “Nelly just needs to stay fit, remain positive and show that absolute will to play.”

"Massively looking forward" to the Conference League games

Amiri is also excited about the upcoming UEFA Conference League qualifiers, where FSV will be aiming to book a place in the group stage. “There’s a real buzz, but also respect,” is how he summed up his feelings. “There are good teams in the mix, and the competition often gets talked down. But we know we’ll need to give 110% and will have to have a top day to make it through.” The anticipation is huge, according to Amiri, and also well deserved: “We earned it last season, and now we’re going to be up for it, we’ll be ready, and we’ll do everything we can to qualify.” He admits he’s a big dreamer: “I’m not someone who goes into a tournament and is satisfied if we lose and get knocked out. That wouldn’t make any sense. We have to try to achieve as much as we possibly can and make full use of our potential. Then we’ll see how far it takes us.”

One way to tilt matches in FSV’s favour will be set pieces. As one of the team’s main dead-ball specialists, Amiri naturally wants to see more output from that area than last season. “There were so many moments when the delivery was right, into the right areas, but we were just a fraction off. It’s about desire – you need that absolute will to make the most of set pieces, otherwise they won’t work. Running in half-hearted isn’t enough in the Bundesliga. I’m confident we can make our set pieces a real weapon again.”

Hard work, even on holiday

Amiri put in plenty of work over the summer break, including during his holiday in Mallorca, where he trained daily with his personal coach and physio, alongside family time. He did it for himself, but above all for FSV – because he knows, and feels, what’s taking shape here. “Something is coming together and everyone can feel it, the fans included. We’re on a really good path.”