Getting to know... Deki Kulusevski

Who...

...has been the biggest influence on your career so far?

So many people… my sister who started playing, my parents, my father who loved football, my friends who played together, because football is friendship. So many people!

 ...was your football idol growing up?

It was actually Fernando Torres when he was at Liverpool.

...is your favourite actor?

My favourite actor is Denzel Washington, closely followed by Will Smith.

...would you most like to see in concert?

My favourite artist’s name is J. Cole, but I saw Kendrick Lamar here in London a couple of months ago and it was a one-of-a-kind experience, really amazing.

Where...

...did you grow up?

I grew up in Stockholm, Sweden and had a lovely childhood.

 ...in the world would you most like to visit?

I would like to go to Egypt soon, to see the pyramids.

 ...did you make your professional debut?

I made my professional debut for Atalanta away to Frosinone. We were winning 5-0 and I came onto the pitch – I was maybe 18 years old.

 ...do you go shopping?

I hate shopping, that’s the first thing! But I go wherever my girlfriend tells me to go. We go together, but since I was young I’ve never been a fan of shopping.

How...

 ...do you spend any free time that you get?

I do a lot. I try to cook good food, I play a lot of basketball, I hang around with friends, I love watching movies, I play table tennis…everything you can compete at, I like to do.

...do you have your eggs in the morning?

I change every day - I don’t like to have routines all the time. Some days it’s scrambled, some days it’s an omelette, some days fried eggs…I just change every day.

...often do you fall asleep in front of the TV?

It happens when I’m very tired but I usually don’t like it because if I start to watch something, I want to finish it.

...would you title this chapter in your life?

Wow, that’s deep! Let me think about that… I would say maybe ‘Inner self journey’ because I think at this age, 23, you’re a grown-up for sure, things like family and kids come into your mind, all of these things, so I think at 23 you really decide who you want to be in this world and what you want to do.

What...

 ...is something that you’ve always wanted to learn?

I would love to be better at basketball! You never know what will happen in the future, but I love playing basketball and I’m a little bit sad that I didn’t play it when I was younger because I think it’s an amazing sport.

...is your current favourite TV show?

I like a lot… I always find something good on television. The other day it was the movie ‘Shark’ - I was just happy to see that because when I was young I always watched it.

...is your favourite flavour ice cream?

Pistachio - I love Italian ice cream, for sure.

...frustrates you the most?

It has to be playing football when it’s not going as it should be. Not winning games - this frustrates me most in the whole world.

When...

 ...did you last cook something and what was it?

I cook every day! Step-by-step I get better. The other day I wanted cheese quesadillas - I don’t know why my girlfriend laughed at me when I said cheese quesadillas - but I made that with sweet potato in the oven. It was 10 out of 10!

...do you wake up on your day off?

Usually I try to sleep a lot - there’s nothing better. Always my dog wakes me up in the morning but I try to sleep as much as I can, at least until nine or 10 o’clock.

...did you last go to the cinema?

I try to go quite often. I think it’s very nice, so as soon as there is a movie that I’d like to watch, I go straight away.

...did you last go to a fancy dress party?

You know, I have never been to one of those! It’s a little bit sad but I never have done.