"Various scenarios are possible. Thanks to UEFA and FIFA, I've achieved great success. On the one hand, I feel like I'm still appreciated and needed, but on the other, I still have the inner motivation and goals I'd like to achieve", says Szymon Marciniak in an interview for TVPSPORT.PL.
– I won't ask if you're happy about being nominated for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, because that's rather obvious...
– Of course I'm happy. We're proud. This will be my third World Cup. Not many referees can boast such an achievement. This tournament may be the final chapter in my international career, but... it doesn't have to mean the end. We'll see how it goes.
– Do you mean a transfer to Saudi Arabia or another country?
– There are many possibilities, I have many different offers. I'm not making any decisions right now. I'm trying not to even think about it. I'm focusing on rehabilitation and training to get back to full fitness as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, I'm missing more matches, but the most important thing is my health.
– So are you considering continuing your career in FIFA and UEFA competitions?
- Of course, that's where I'm from; it's thanks to UEFA and FIFA that I've achieved great success. On the one hand, I feel appreciated and needed, and on the other, I still have internal motivation and goals I'd love to achieve."
- Saudi Arabia is offering big money...
- It's not just Saudi Arabia that's making offers... But it's not just about the money. Football is developing rapidly there. This country will host the World Cup in 2034. There will still be time to make the right decision.
- How do you feel after so many successes, so many major tournaments, so many finals, hearing that you're soon going to the USA, Mexico, and Canada for the biggest World Cup in history?
- I'm Polish first and foremost, and a referee second. I'm very sad that the Polish national team won't be playing in this World Cup. In 2018 in Russia and in 2022 in Qatar, I was there and refereed, but we also had a team I supported there. Now, along with Tomek Kwiatkowski, Tomek Listkiewicz, and Adam Kupsik, we won't have anyone to keep our fingers crossed for; we'll only be keeping our fingers crossed for ourselves. The absence of the Polish national team... we'll try to compensate the Polish fans in some way. We'd like to perform in a way that our countrymen can be proud of us. We're hoping for really good matches in America...
- What are your ambitions for this tournament? You seem like the obvious candidate to officiate the opening match. Your appearance in the semi-finals wouldn't be a surprise either. No one has ever refereed a final like this for the second time, but the top referees are very few in number, and on top of that, some have inconsistent form...
- We want to keep our feet on the ground. That's definitely the best thing for referees. I've long since outgrown daydreaming. Of course, we have dreams, like everyone else, because it's healthy and motivating, but we need to focus on work, preparation, and rest. I definitely don't want to be in the media in the coming months. Maybe I'll make an exception, one or two, but generally I plan on media silence to get some serious rest.
– Why do you want to avoid media appearances?
– Before the World Cup, you need to calm down. I need it, I have to, I want it. No sensationalism, no flashy headlines, no programs that might later be criticized in various ways are necessary for any referee, especially before the World Cup. Anyone who has ever refereed understands this perfectly. After what we've achieved so far, after the World Cup final in Qatar, the expectations for us are completely different. But we really know exactly what we have to do.
– How will you be spending your free time before the World Cup?
– Besides relaxing and rehabilitating until the last day before traveling to the World Cup, I'm also planning a few meetings with young people and children. I once promised that I'd return to Józefosław in the Piaseczno commune as soon as the first real football pitch is built there or in neighboring Julianów. I received information that construction is nearing completion, and the goals are supposed to be in place in the coming days, so it's time to keep my word. Later, I'll probably meet with young people for Children's Day, and then... we're off to America.
– What are your goals for this year's World Cup?
– Every match will be the most important. Of course, we'd like to be in America as long as possible. We're hoping for matches with big teams, but I wouldn't be surprised if I were assigned to referee a match or matches with smaller nations, perhaps even debutants.
– Jordan, Panama, Uzbekistan, Curacao, Cape Verde?
– And why not? These national teams will also be playing in the World Cup, they'll also be playing for high stakes, and their matches will also require the best possible officiating. For these teams, the World Cup is not only an opportunity to play against the best in the world, but also the opportunity to work with top FIFA referees. Officiating matches with such teams is no piece of cake. We all know that sometimes it's much more difficult to referee matches against teams not at the top, but on the other hand, there are matches with top teams that are so easy to referee that they could do without international or professional referees. But you never know before the match. That's why, for every referee, the next match is the most important, regardless of who's playing or what's at stake. You can stumble everywhere, and you have to maintain authority and respect everywhere. At the World Cup, every match has a lot at stake. Even if you can't win or advance, it's worth playing until the end, because this is where history is made. The memories from the World Cup will last a long time. I'd also like to have the best possible result after the tournament in America, so I'm working hard to get back to top form. The truth is, my third World Cup is coming with a lot of pain.
Source: TVP Sport
