Central Coast Mariners creator Musti Amini on growing back that afro, learning German and his pending move to the Bundesliga.

He’s been nicknamed “Pumuckl” after the jaunty, mop-topped animated children’s character in Germany. In Colombia they took one look and dubbed him “Pive” in deference to living legend and Colombian football maestro Carlos Valderrama. Former Aussie national youth coach Jan Versleijen called him a bit special – we’d just call him Musti. Mustafa Amini’s cracking Afro may have something to do with it but it’s ultimately his vision, technique and goal-scoring that’s inspiring the fans and exciting the media.

Musti, talk us through rebuilding your body after you came back from the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia last August.
I came back from the World Cup and I’d been on anti-inflammatory injections just to get through the games.  And I came back all broken. I never had any time off for two years. I had a month off, then I came back and started training but it wasn’t working for me. I was still sore so I eventually did rehab and prehab work with my groin, strengthening it. Eventually I got back to training one-on-one and straight line running then I stepped up a level in training after basically missing the first four rounds [in the A-League]. It’s been a lot of work but it’s starting to pay off.

In Colombia, physically how bad were you?
I don’t know how far off I was but for sure I wasn’t 100 per cent.  My groin was really weak but it was the World Cup. Everyone wants to play in a World Cup.

Aside from the injury and our results, how was the Colombian experience?
Geez, it was one of the best countries I’ve been to with the football. Playing against Spain, half of their players are playing in the Champions League. They are just another footballer when you play against them; it’s just where they are playing with the likes of Messi at Barcelona. You know what I mean? They are training over there. We could compete but they are great footballers playing in the Champions League – at a young age, too. It was pretty crazy.

Speaking of crazy, the Colombian fans?
They used to yell out “Pive” to me. It means “The Kid” and it was what they used to call Valderrama. It was an honour being called that name.

Former national youth coach Jan Versleijen said your type of body type wouldn’t have been identified in the development system a few years ago… it hasn’t stopped you and it hasn’t stopped these Spanish stars, has it?
There are advantages to having a lower centre of gravity. When you get fouled by a big player the ref generally gives you the benefit of the doubt [laughs]. The A-League is a physical league but we try to play [good] football at the Mariners. It is good for me playing on the ground, playing a short pass where before you’d play a long pass. It helps me. These days it doesn’t matter what size you are. You look at Barcelona with Iniesta, Messi and Xavi, and they are the best in the world.

So if you were 190cm, would you be the same type of player?
[Laughs] I don’t think so! I’d move a bit slower, that’s for sure!

What have you learnt about football and yourself over the last year or so?
Every footballer needs a break at times, you know? You can’t just keep going all the time. Even if you’re young you still need that break at times and to look after yourself.

So, that month off mate, what did youget up to?
Just sat at home, had some physio and relaxed. Just time off, no rehab, just taking it easy. It was good – put a bit of weight on!

This Mariners side... is it better, worse or the same as last year’s version, which came so close on grand final day in Brisbane?
I think it’s pretty much the same. We pretty much had the grand final in our hands. It was just [laughs] I don’t know. It was just one of those days and something special happens for the other team. But we’re doing quite well this year after a slow start.

At the end of this season you head back to Borussia Dortmund after your loan spell in the A-League. How often are they keeping tabs on you?
They’ve been busy with the Champions League and that but no doubt they’ll watch my games. Like last year when I trialled with them I took a few DVDs of my games with me and they said they don’t need that. I was already on their scouting software with all my games from start to finish with all my stats. The technology they have is amazing. I’m sure they’ll know all my stats this season.

What about the language?
I’ve got a German teacher once a week. It’s a difficult language. I have to learn quickly when I get there. When I was there trialling when I wanted the ball I just yelled, “pass, pass”. I didn’t know what to say…

Do they have software to measure your Afro too?
[Laughs] The hair’s growing… it’s getting better. It’s starting to get to where it was last season. I’m sure it will be up again. 

This article appeared in the February 2012 issue of Australian FourFourTwo magazine. To buy back copies of this issue call 03-8317-8121 with a credit card to hand.

The current edition of Australian FourFourTwo has just gone on sale in newsagent across the country, or you can subscribe here