Entourage: 'People make football!' Thomas Buffel
At the age of sixteen, Thomas Buffel (°1981) moved from Ruddervoorde in West Flanders to Rotterdam. A new world opened up for him there. In his first season at Feyenoord, he was immediately voted the best youth player in the Netherlands. After a loan spell at Excelsior, he returned to the illustrious Feyenoord and broke through as a striker and playmaker. He then played for the Scottish top club Glasgow Rangers and Cercle Brugge. Since 2009, he has been working for the traditional Limburg club Racing Genk.
Incidentally, no one in Genk has ever played more matches than Thomas Buffel. At every club where he played football, the 35-time Red Devil was player of the year.
But what is Thomas Buffel's secret? What does it take to succeed as a footballer? A question that thousands of young players and their parents ask. In 'Entourage' Thomas Buffel explains what you should take into account to succeed as a youth player. Becoming a top footballer is not something you do alone. A good entourage and guidance are necessary. It is the people who make football.
Former sports journalist Philip De Hollogne and Thomas Buffel went on the road together over the past two seasons and spoke to many people who played a role in Thomas' football life, here, but also in the Netherlands and Scotland.
'Entourage' is an accessible, colorful football guide for every football fan and every (youth) player, with handy tips, useful advice and many exciting stories from Thomas Buffel.