“There will never be another footballer as good as him!”

Romano Schmid has had a whirlwind of a summer. The attacking midfielder experienced an eventful few weeks with Austria at the World Cup, scoring his first goal at the tournament and coming up against his idol. In an interview with WERDER.DE, the 26-year-old reveals which global superstar he was compared with, the souvenirs he brought home and how he feels about his new shirt number.

WERDER.DE: Moin, Romano. You have had quite a summer. Were you still able to switch off completely during your holiday, or did you find yourself constantly thinking about the World Cup?

Romano Schmid: I was able to switch off quite well. Getting knocked out of a tournament always hurts, of course, but you have to put it into perspective. We had a really difficult draw.

WERDER.DE: It was an eventful tournament for both you and Austria. What’s the first World Cup moment that comes to mind?

Romano Schmid: My goal, of course! Scoring for your country at a World Cup is one of the most incredible things you can achieve as a footballer!

WERDER.DE: What did it feel like when the ball hit the back of the net?

Romano Schmid: It was unbelievable! You cannot really put it into words. It all happens so quickly that you do not have time to take it in properly. Once the ball was in, I did not know what to do with myself.

WERDER.DE: How important was that opening goal for the team?

Romano Schmid: It was a difficult game against a Jordan side who sat very deep. That goal was the breakthrough and lifted a huge weight off everyone’s shoulders. There is enormous pressure on you in the first game. You really have to win it if you want to get through.

WERDER.DE: You then faced Argentina and your idol, Lionel Messi. What was it like sharing the pitch with him?

Romano Schmid: It is unbelievable how good he is. He may not run much, but every time he had the ball, Argentina created a chance. Messi is extraordinary. You simply cannot stop him. There will never be another footballer as good as him!

WERDER.DE: Was there a particularly special moment between the two of you?

Romano Schmid: I was completely in the zone on the pitch and focused only on my own performance. After the game, my wife showed me that Messi and I had been compared on the big screen during the warm-up. We had recorded the best attacking statistics for our respective teams in the opening group game, so they put up a head-to-head comparison. That was pretty crazy!

WERDER.DE: Then came that incredible game against Algeria, when you appeared to be heading out after an injury-time goal before levelling at the death to go through. What was that emotional rollercoaster like?

Romano Schmid: It was so hot during that game that nobody knew how they were supposed to keep running. I have never experienced anything like it. Neither team wanted to take any risks, and then Algeria suddenly went ahead. We thought we were out, but somehow we still managed to equalise. Those emotions are unique. You only experience something like that in football.

WERDER.DE: In the end, Spain proved a step too far for you, just as they did for every other nation they faced in the knockouts. Why were they impossible for anyone to beat?

Romano Schmid: The first 20 minutes were the best football we played all tournament. We really went toe-to-toe with them. After going 1-0 down, though, it became very difficult. Spain have a lot of world-class players and they are also incredibly composed. Once they are ahead and start playing their possession game, there is very little you can do.

WERDER.DE: It was not your first major tournament, as you also played at the European Championship in Germany. This World Cup attracted a lot of attention because of its expanded format and scale. Looking at the experience as a whole, how did it compare with the European Championship?

Romano Schmid: A World Cup attracts even more attention, and the stadiums are unique as well. Playing in places such as Los Angeles or Dallas gives you experiences that nobody can ever take away from you!

WERDER.DE: Did you bring home any personal souvenirs?

Romano Schmid: We received a medal, as well as a pin from every venue. I also acquired two towels with ‘World Cup 2026’ written on them in the colours of the host nations (laughs).

WERDER.DE: After your break, you returned to Bremen and to Werder this week. There are several new faces on the training pitch. Can you already sense the renewed energy that people have been talking about?

Romano Schmid: Yes. I have not had that much time to get to know the new arrivals over the first few days, but we have brought in young players with a lot of potential. You can tell that everyone is eager to play football. The training sessions have also been really good and have involved some new ideas.

WERDER.DE: One of those new faces is Alex Schlager, whom you effectively brought back from the World Cup with you. Was a possible move something you discussed during the tournament?

Romano Schmid: Yes, Alex spoke to me before he had his call with Clemens Fritz and Peter Niemeyer, so I knew about it relatively early on.

WERDER.DE: There is also a change for you personally, as you will wear the number 10 shirt this season. You are only the second Austrian to wear it for Werder after Andi Herzog. What does that mean to you?

Romano Schmid: Ten is my favourite number. I always wore it in youth football. Unfortunately, it had already been taken at every club I had played for until now, so I am pleased it’s finally worked out. It is obviously a great honour to be only the second Austrian to wear it for Werder, particularly when the first was Andi Herzog.

WERDER.DE: Finally, looking at the bigger picture, what are you hoping for from the team and the club in the upcoming Bundesliga season?

Romano Schmid: I hope we can move forward with a clear sense of direction and represent Werder Bremen in the way Werder deserves.

WERDER.DE: Thank you for your time, Romano!