Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Diant Ramaj speaks on admiration for Lev Yashin | OneFootball

Signed and immediately loaned out during the January transfer window, Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Diant Ramaj is currently plying his trade up north in Denmark. The 23-year-old Stuttgart native spoke on his time with FC Copenhagen and his hopes for the future in an interview appearing in the Wednesday print edition of Sport Bild.

The German Kosovar was once considered a very hot commodity during his time with Eintracht Frankfurt. Since being recruited by German footballing administrator Sven Mislintat at Ajax, however, he’s fallen off the radar of many German footballing publications.

With so many young German keepers staking their claim as part of Germany’s future these days, Ramaj didn’t even make Sport Bild’s recent list of top ten young goalkeeping prospects. The publication began by asking Ramaj, who has never been called up to the U21s, what he thought of this.

SPORT BILD: Mr. Ramaj, first and foremost thanks for even speaking to us after you haven’t made our top ten list.

Ramaj:

“Honestly, I never even heard of that ranking until now. I’m not a big fan of such lists. What’s important to me is how and where I view myself. I think, I’m not out of the top-ten, but rather high up.“

Where then do you see yourself?

“Among the young talents, I think I’m number one in my opinion. In terms of the older generation, there’s [Manuel] Neuer, [Marc André] ter Stegen, [Alexander Nübel] and [Oliver] Baumann. I don’t compare myself with them, but with the younger ones. It’s about the future and not the past.“

Let’s nevertheless take a look at the post. Who was your goalkeeping idol growing up?

“Way back when, I watched [former Soviet keeper] Lev Yashin a lot. I like to look deep into the past and I came across Yashin. His mentality and straightforwardness impressed me. My idol is Manuel Neuer. He defined the modern goalkeeper’s game and led it in the right direction.“

You often parry balls like a martial artist. Some say that goalkeepers are really a different breed. How do you see yourself?

“The [karate chop parries] just come instinctually to me. I just want to get the ball. How I get it is irrelevant. One has to be a little crazy to be a goalkeeper. In order to get to the top, one has to take a different path than the other [footballers].“

How would you describe your path?

“It’s all about mentality. I’m all about being straightforward and honest. I run out no matter how painful it is and whenever others won’t.“

Do you think you can challenge [Gregor Kobel] for the Dortmund #1 spot this summer?

“When Dortmund came calling, it was too big a club to say no to. Right now I’m accruing playing practice in Copenhagen. That’s where I’ll prove myself and the rest will take care of itself.“

And what of the German national team? When was the last time you had contact with the DFB?

“I remain in contact with former [DFB Junior] goalkeeping coach Manuel Schneider. I’ve never heard anything from the senior level. I still know that if I showcase my skills, it will be hard to keep me off the radar.

“The big generational change [at the goalkeeping position] isn’t necessarily a disadvantage for me.“

What would you say to the Kosovo FA [Ramaj was born in Germany to Albanian-Kosovar parents] if they called you?

“There’s been some contact. Not with me personally, but some acquaintances of mine. My interest is strong, but I do want to strive for the best in my career.“

GGFN | Peter Weis