Adrian Delaportas - translated interview

Interview posted on December 11, 2024. 

❓ Please introduce yourself to the readers! Tell us a bit about yourself, your family, and your career so far!

🗣 My name is Adrian Delaportas, and I am 16 years old. I was born in Athens; my father is Greek, and my mother is Hungarian. She has spoken to me only in Hungarian since the day I was born, so I speak the language perfectly. I have a 19-year-old sister. I attend an international school, so in addition to Hungarian and Greek, I also speak English fluently.When I was 10 years old, I joined AEK. After participating in their summer camp, I received an invitation from them, and since then, I have been playing as a defender for their team. Currently, I play in the Super League U17 squad.

❓ What does it feel like to play at the AEK Athens academy? What is the environment like there?

🗣 I really enjoy playing football at the AEK academy. It is a great academy with professional coaches. We train in a professional environment, at the same place where the AEK men's team trains.

❓ What are your short- and long-term goals in football? Is there a club or league where you would especially like to play in the future?

🗣 This year, I want to perform well with my team in the Greek U17 Super League. Additionally, I aim to continue training with the Hungarian U17 national team for the U17 Euro and help the team advance to the next round. Looking ahead in the long term, my dream is to play in the Premier League one day.

❓ If you have the opportunity, do you watch Hungarian football? Do you have a favorite Hungarian team?

🗣 I do watch Hungarian football with my grandfather whenever I have the chance, although I don't have a favorite team. I enjoy watching any match.

❓ Do you have a role model?

🗣 Yes, I have several, but perhaps the greatest is Messi. Not only because of his achievements in football, which are already incredible on their own, but also because I deeply respect the kind of person he is off the pitch.

❓ What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you're not training or playing?

🗣 Between school and football, I have very little free time. I like to give my maximum effort both in my studies and in football. However, in the small amount of free time I do have, I really enjoy spending time with my friends, going on trips with my family, going to the movies, and visiting the beach in the summer.

❓ If you had the opportunity, would you represent Hungary as a national team footballer?
🗣 Yes, I would love to play football for Hungary and proudly represent my Hungarian homeland. My mother is from Kaposvár, and my family still lives there, so I spent a lot of time with them as a child—some of my fondest memories are from there. When I go to Hungary, I feel like I'm going home, not just visiting.

In early November, I had the opportunity to train with the Hungarian U17 team for a few days during their European Championship preparation camp. I really enjoyed the experience, and it meant a lot to me that everyone welcomed me so warmly. I felt like I had become part of a big family. I truly hope to become a permanent member of the team. I believe that with hard work, anything is possible.