sport news Inside the rise of Jeremie Frimpong: From hat-tricks in two games on the same ... trends now
Amid Bayer Leverkusen's once-in-a-lifetime celebrations after finally winning a Bundesliga title, Jeremie Frimpong was asked what's his secret for a happy life.
'Just have a smile, just enjoy life because you only live once. So whilst we're on this earth just have fun, love others and give positive energy and then life is good,' he answered.
Frimpong certainly has plenty to smile about at the moment. The Dutch right wing-back has played an important role in Leverkusen's extraordinary season.
Xabi Alonso's side have broken Bayern Munich's 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title, winning their first one ever and remained undefeated into the bargain.
They could yet add the German Cup and the UEFA Europa League to their collection, with the second leg of their quarter-final tie against West Ham ahead on Thursday. They lead 2-0.
Jeremie Frimpong was at the heart of Bayer Leverkusen's celebrations as they finally ended their long wait for a maiden Bundesliga title last weekend
The wing-back has enjoyed an excellent season as Leverkusen finally ended decades of hurt
Frimpong has become a fundamental player for Xabi Alonso, with his system a perfect fit
Frimpong, 23, went viral at the weekend after he mocked team-mate Granit Xhaka's failure to win the Premier League at Arsenal and then propped himself on broadcaster Archie Rhind-Tutt's shoulder while giving a TV interview that just oozed happiness.
It hasn't taken long for him to be linked with a move to Manchester United this summer with his contract reportedly containing a £34million release clause - if activated before Euro 2024.
If it happens, the move would take him back to the place where his football career started, in the academy of Manchester City.
He didn't make the first-team there, instead coming to attention at Celtic, where the youngster's raw pace and tenacity brought him to attention and won plaudits.
But it's after signing for Leverkusen in January 2021, that Frimpong's career has really taken off - and in particular under Alonso's tutelage.
Because Frimpong likes to station himself firmly in the opposition's half, some coaches consider him too offensively-minded to work effectively as a wing-back.
But his abilities suit Alonso's favoured 3-4-3 system perfectly and while Leverkusen were second-bottom of the table when the Spaniard took over in October 2022, they are transformed now.
In truth, Frimpong has progressively moved backwards on the pitch. He was a striker when he first pitched up at Clayton FC in east Manchester aged eight, not too long after mum Bernice and her seven kids moved to the UK from the Netherlands in 2007.
Jeremie Frimpong's jubilant interview after winning the Bundesliga has gone viral
