by Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Deniz Undav appears comfortable in every setting. Whether on the biggest stages of football, chatting with fans, or stopping by his favorite kebab shop, the 28-year-old Stuttgart striker relishes his role as a charismatic entertainer and lively conversationalist.
This ease comes naturally to someone who hasn't forgotten his difficult climb to football's top level, much of it spent in the lower divisions.
A fairytale-like path led him from Belgian side Saint-Gilloise and Brighton & Hove Albion to Stuttgart and the German national team. Now at Stuttgart, he has become the face of a revitalized club reaching for new heights after years of underachievement.
The Kurdish-born striker is the glue that holds the team together, on and off the pitch. Others call him the club's foreign and interior minister, though he does not view himself or his side as the center of the universe - even with his impressive record of 28 goals in 54 matches, plus three goals in five games for Germany.
Qualifying for the UEFA Champions League introduced him to the elite of European football, such as Spanish giant Real Madrid or, this Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain.
The contrast could hardly be greater when Undav meets the glamor of the Parisian side. On the pitch, however, he believes everyone is equal, with the chance to create joy regardless of background.
After a temporary equalizer in Madrid, Undav downplayed his successful header, saying, "That we have lost if I am right, so what is it about my goal?"
His relaxed nature aligns with relentless ambition, as Stuttgart's return to the Champions League after 15 years is one of his key moments.
When Paris Saint-Germain visits VfB's arena, both clubs - each on ten points from seven games - will square off despite vast differences in financial resources. While a single point from their clash would secure both sides a play-off berth (teams placed between ninth and 24th), Undav insists he wants victory. "Every footballer wants to win his games, so do I, no matter who is on the other side," he said, calling it "a little final for us."
Stuttgart's ground will be packed on Wednesday night, supporters chanting Undav's name and hoping for a chat at the kebab shop afterward.
"Burden? Pressure? No way, all of us are looking forward to another unique night in the Champions League," Undav said, promising a football festival. ■
