Revealed: Marek Hamsik’s special new role with Slovakia at Euro 2024… after the 36-year-old Napoli legend called time on his playing career – and his iconic mohawk
- Marek Hamsik is considered the best player in the history of Slovak football
- The former midfielder retired last year but is still with the national team
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Marek Hamsik is something of a cult hero among football fans and many are surprised by both his new role and his new look.
The 36-year-old, who hung up his boots last year, is widely regarded as the best Slovakian player in history.
The former midfielder scored 26 goals in 138 appearances for his country and wore the captain’s armband 63 times.
Hamsik spent most of his career at Napoli, where he scored 121 times in 520 games and won two Italian Cups.
The Slovakian’s enormous mohawk attracted almost as much attention as his football during his playing days, but has taken a back seat since his retirement.
Marek Hamsik will continue to work with the Slovak team after his retirement
Hamsik is widely regarded as the best player Slovakia has ever produced
The mohawk is no more, replaced by a short trim with a fade on the back and sides, and he now serves as his country’s ‘team manager’.
This doesn’t mean the 36-year-old is in charge of tactics. Instead, he plays a key role behind the scenes.
Hamsik is responsible for taking care of the Slovak players and making sure everything is organized for them.
Speaking about Hamsik and his role, Slovakia manager Francesco Calzona said: ‘If I had a son, I would want him to be someone like Marek Hamsik because despite his career as a champion, he is very humble.
‘He’s straight forward and everyone loves him. I have realized how important he is for Slovakia because I have never heard anyone speak ill of him or say anything negative about him.
The 36-year-old (left) is behind the scenes responsible for managing the affairs of the team
“Besides being a colleague, he’s a great friend. During his years at Napoli we quietly built a great relationship.
‘We had some chemistry between us and then we went our separate ways, but we kept texting each other. When we met again, it felt like no time had passed at all.’