Michael Gregoritsch: 'I am extremely proud of this feeling, playing for my country.' [premium] | Austria's star striker reflects on World Cup qualification goal and national team pride after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina secured their spot in the tournament. Gregoritsch emphasizes the collective effort and the profound personal meaning of representing Austria, calling the qualifying goal the greatest moment of his career. He highlights his deep connection to the national team, stating it's his primary motivation for playing football and cherishing the experience of wearing the Austrian colors and emblem since his youth, having fought for his place over the years. The interview delves into his career milestones, including two European Championships and the upcoming World Cup, underscoring the growing significance of the national team within his professional life and the strong bond with his long-standing teammates. He also touches upon the early sense of national pride he felt even during his youth selections, valuing the iconic red jersey and the Austrian eagle emblem. The conversation explores the balance between the privilege and responsibility of representing a nation in football, a journey that has been particularly meaningful for him due to his persistent efforts to earn his spot on the team over time. | Src: Die Presse (AT)

Michael Gregoritsch's decisive goal in the World Cup qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which ended 1-1, secured Austria's place in the tournament and is being hailed as a monumental achievement. Gregoritsch, however, views the qualification as a collective effort, earned over the entire qualifying campaign by the team and supported by the home crowd at the Happel Stadium. He believes that failing to qualify would have been undeserved given their performance.

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I was the one who got to score it. But this World Cup is something we as a team worked for – and in this case, the entire Happel Stadium.

For Gregoritsch, the moment of scoring was the pinnacle of his career, bringing profound relief and a feeling that his entire journey as a footballer had culminated in that single, significant event. He expressed that if his playing career were to end abruptly, he would be deeply satisfied with what he has achieved. The goal's importance to the nation is not lost on him, acknowledging that fans will remember it for years to come.

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For me, that was the greatest moment of my career so far.

Wearing the Austrian national team jersey represents everything to Gregoritsch; it is the core reason he continues to play football. He cherishes the feeling of representing his country alongside the team, staff, and everyone involved. He stated that he wants to continue this experience for as long as possible, indicating that his club career would likely lose its appeal if he felt he was no longer needed or capable of playing for the national team.

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Pure relief. As if my entire career up to this point had paid off.

Gregoritsch debuted for the national team at 22 and has since participated in two European Championships and now a World Cup. He noted that the value of being part of the national team has grown over time, especially with a core group of players who have played together for an extended period. He recalled feeling a sense of national representation even in youth selections, cherishing the red jersey and the Austrian eagle emblem from an early age. His journey has involved consistently fighting for his place, making his current achievements even more meaningful.

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That is everything. That is the reason why I still want to play football.