David Alaba: Light up your Game

For over a decade, David Alaba has been thriving as a successful football player on the pitch, while his life off the field has been evolving just as dynamically. Growing up in a suburban area near Vienna, Alaba now plays for Real Madrid, yet his core values remain unchanged. To Alaba, football signifies community — the moment he steps onto the pitch, everyone is equal. There, he feels the freedom to express himself. In pursuit of finding an outlet to let his persona run free, David Alaba has delved into the world of fashion. Though it may seem like a departure from his life as a football player, fashion holds the same significance for him as football, both finding common ground in unity. 

Amidst his second campaign Light up your game with Zalando, SLEEK talked to David Alaba about incorporating fashion into his life, the importance of the people around him and his core values that stayed the same.

SLEEK: Football jerseys have become a trend in streetwear lately, with everyone wearing them even though they might not be professional players. Has fashion been an important tool to football culture? 

David Alaba: I don’t know if important is the right word. But fashion has definitely become part of football culture. There are always new collaborations between football clubs or sporting goods manufacturers and high fashion brands, and the front rows of fashion shows are often full of professional footballers. I myself always enjoy attending such shows. Football and fashion go hand in hand these days. 

S: Has football influenced your own style? 

DA: Yes, definitely. On the one hand, because I’m constantly getting to know new cities, countries and cultures through the many trips we take with the team. These naturally influence me and my style. Secondly, because I’ve met so many inspiring people during my career, from the fashion industry, the music industry and the art industry. They all have their own great style which I like to be influenced by but I also try to stay true to myself.

S: How do you incorporate fashion into your life that is strongly dominated by football? 

DA: Of course I spend most of my time in training gear or jerseys, but in my free time I like to wear fashionable things. Clothes that I like and feel comfortable in. As I said, I also like to go to fashion shows or find out about new collections, designers and other things. 

S: How would you describe your own fashion style? How did you develop it? 

DA: Now rather quiet and informed. In the past, it was perhaps a little louder and more conspicuous. But just like me as a person, my style has also evolved. 

S: In which ways are you confronted with fashion as a football player?

DA: I meet my colleagues at the club almost every day, who all come to training with different styles, we exchange ideas, chat and maybe put one or two things on. Toni Kroos, for example, likes to make fun of me when I wear things he wouldn’t necessarily wear. (laughs)

S: This is your second collaboration with Zalando. This time the focus is on the community. What is the dynamic between football and the community and why can’t you separate those two? 

DA: Football is not possible without community, it is a team sport and thrives on it. Only if you feel comfortable in the community you will also feel comfortable playing football. Your teammates, the club, the fans, everything belongs together and that’s important. Football also stands for community and solidarity. 

S: With your role model function in football, there is also pressure on you. What is your balance to football? 

DA: My faith and my family. I wouldn’t be able to do it without both.

S: The vast majority of your companions describe you as an incredibly talented, but also hard-working athlete and a good-humored guy with an outstanding Viennese charm. What do they mean by that and where does your positive energy come from?

DA: Of course I was given a certain amount of soccer talent, but I never rested on my laurels and worked really hard and invested a lot for all my successes. And when you see that it pays off, you naturally have a lot of positive energy.

S: How did your background and the cultural impact of your parents shape your view on life and football?

DA: Definitely a lot. There have always been many different cultural influences in our family and of course there was always a lot going on. My parents gave me many important values for life, which I always try to take to heart and pass on to my children.

S: You have had a successful football career for many years. What has stayed the same as in the beginning? 

DA: You learn over time. Experience grows and you can judge and assess certain things, decisions and developments much better. That’s important. But one thing is clear – the desire and the fun I have on the pitch are the same from day one. The love for this sport always remains the same.