MANILA, Philippines - We talked recently to the man of the moment, Azkals striker and Hush Puppies endorser Phil Younghusband, and one of the topics tackled was his love for footwear.
Phil quipped, “Well, when I was a teenager, I learned that what girls look at are shoes. And teeth! Yup, shoes and teeth.”
He added, describing Hush Puppies’ newest smart style, The Body Shoe: “I never knew how comfortable shoes could be till I tried them on.”
A complete collection of sport-inspired smart styles, The Body Shoe puts the body in proper alignment, reduces fatigue and makes movement easier and more comfortable, thus encouraging its wearer to move more. These shoes — which are made of smooth leathers, soft suede’s and oiled nubucks — were scientifically tested in the biomechanics lab of Michigan State University, USA to confirm that the shoes enhance walking efficiency.
When he was teased that now that he had the right shoes, perhaps his next endorsement might be for a toothpaste brand, he just smiled, but there was a naughty twinkle in his hazel eyes. And though he is now inundated with questions about his love life and his newfound fame, it is clear for all to see that what really gets Phil’s eyes sparkling is when talk turns to football.
STAR: Some athletes prefer to wear new shoes before every game, while some hold on to their “lucky” shoes till they fall apart. What’s your preference?
PHIL YOUNGHUSBAND: I like “medium” shoes. Meaning, I’ve already worn them in a little, but they’re not too old.
You have said in previous interviews that David Beckham was your idol when you were growing up. So would you say that your style is also influenced by David Beckham?
Oh, no, my style is much more simple, not too detailed. But I do like to keep things classy.
But if you ended up dating or marrying a girl as fashion-obsessed as Victoria Beckham, would you let her style you?
Well, I think, in the end, all men are dictated upon by women. But I suppose there would be some sort of compromise.
You’ve had your share of fashion shoots in this stage of your career. Would you say that you’ve reached the point where you’re comfortable doing them? And do you ever interject your own style?
Well, I would never want to be maarte, but if I really think something doesn’t look good, there are very nice, polite ways to suggest other ideas.
But people in the Philippines, whether it’s your first shoot, or your 100th, they really make it easy for you.
You wear the number 10, which is historically very significant in football. It’s the number worn by such legends as Pele, Maradona and Zidane. Tell us what it means to you to wear this number.
Yes, that is correct. The best players to ever play the game have worn the shirt with the number 10. Maradona, Pele, Zidane and now the best player in the world, Lionel Messi. These players have been considered the best, not just because they are the most effective but because they are the most entertaining to watch. These players have all played similar positions and have similar attributes. I consider them all my idols, so to wear this number is to express that (admiration) and that (aspiration) I can be similar to them.
The atmosphere at the Banaad Stadium in Bacolod was electrifying, especially since as a nation, we do get very few chances to stand together in moments of collective joy. What was it like for you, out on the field?
Well, we could really feel the difference, as if for every move you make, and every time you run, the cheers and the screams are louder. After all, in Indonesia, there was no one cheering for us.
We really want football to become the game of the masses here, and to sustain the popularity.
Though you played for Chelsea as a youth, you have stated that your team is Manchester United. Why?
Well, I admire the best and try to copy the best, and growing up, with David Beckham there, I always wanted Man U to win.
Recently, Wayne Rooney redeemed a lackluster run both at the World Cup and the Premier League with a back-to-the-goal, over-the-head goal that won the game for Manchester United. Would you ever attempt such an acrobatic goal?
Well, I’m constantly choreographing and dreaming of goals in my head, but I wouldn’t think, “I’ll do what Wayne Rooney did,” or another player. I want to come up with my own goals.
As a youngster in Chelsea, you had a chance to be molded by the now iconic Jose Mourinho. What was it like to work with him?
He was (actually) very playful and fun. He was very detailed and showed a lot of respect to everyone.
How much of you is British and how much of you is Filipino?
Well, obviously, I grew up in England, and English is my first language, though I really am trying to learn Filipino. And I went to school there. It’s a bit harder to define what is Filipino. Some of my teammates are full-blooded Filipino but they didn’t grow up here so they speak little or no Tagalog. And then I have friends who are full-blooded Americans, but grew up here, so they speak fluent Tagalog, and feel very much at home in the Philippines. This much I can say: I am very, very proud to represent the Philippines.
So what was it like growing up in England?
Well, we were a little outside London, in Middlesex, right on the Thames River. I remember, when I was around seven or eight, we were with some friends, and then we saw a boat, and decided to just get on it. James was holding the rope so I wasn’t scared at all. And then when I turned to see the shore, I noticed that James had let go, and so I started crying my head off, and then James started crying his head off. I ended up jumping into the river to swim to shore. Can you believe that instead of being relieved that I made it to shore unharmed, my mum even got mad at me for jumping into the river? Though that was actually the second time, when I was younger, around three or four, I was with an aunt, and I also fell into the river.
Aside from always taking us to our football training, our dad would also take us to the pub all the time. Of course, James and I wouldn’t drink but we would just hang out at the pub.
You are perceived as the more outspoken, more playful brother as compared to your more seemingly serious brother James. But how do you show your serious side?
Well, I like to show that I am serious about my game. But I like to have fun in everything I do. Although James and I are now the breadwinners of our family (their father, Philip James Sr., died of lung cancer seven years ago, which made them decide to relocate to the Philippines with their mom and sister), so I take that seriously.
Do you have hidden talents?
Well, a few years ago, I was in Amsterdam, and a friend of mine who works as a clown taught me to juggle.
So, is it easier to juggle with your feet or your hands?
With my feet of course! That’s what I’ve been doing my whole life!
Have you had any experiences with any psycho fans?
Well, the good thing about fans in the Philippines is that they are more sweet and senti rather than psycho. One thing that really touched me was they started this “Write a letter to Phil” project, and it’s an unbroken letter with about 60 or 70 different writers. It was really something. I haven’t even read all of it, but I am looking forward to sitting down and seeing all they’ve written.
Do you pray a lot? What do you pray for?
Well, I do try to pray a lot. But I never ask God for anything. I believe that God already knows what is good for us. So my prayer is always just, “Thank you.”