The International Matchday against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday not only brought a commanding 4-0 home win, it also underlined just how ambitious and multi-faceted VfB Stuttgart’s approach to internationalisation is. At the invitation of the club and the Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL), numerous overseas guests, international partners and media representatives from Asia, Africa, and South and North America, gathered at the MHP Arena.
International gathering at the MHP Arena
Several VfB legends were also in attendance. Brand ambassadors Cacau, Hansi Müller, Guido Buchwald and Timo Hildebrand were at the stadium, as were Fernando Meira and Shinji Okazaki. The latter two returned to their former stomping ground for the International Matchday, and appeared in the pre-match show and caught up with former colleagues and fans. A delegation from the Harlem Globetrotters - the exhibition basketball team from the USA - also attended the Bundesliga fixture.
“VfB was my first club in Europe when I moved to the Bundesliga from Japan in 2011,” said Okazaki upon his return to Stuttgart. “It was a special time for me and I was really warmly welcomed at the club. I was extremely proud when I made my debut for VfB in this stadium. I’ve got fond memories of my time at VfB, even if it was a period of lots of ups and downs in footballing terms.”
Championship-winning captain Meira looked back emotionally on his time wearing the jersey with the red hoop: “It’s something special to return to the stadium where I experienced great moments with my team-mates. It gives me goosebumps. Certain memories come flooding back right away, such as when we won the Bundesliga title in 2006/07. I’ve been impressed by the way VfB has developed in recent years and I really like the way the team is playing under head coach Sebastian Hoeneß.”
Interesting workshop, high-profile guests
Before the match kicked off, a workshop was held with VfB partners LBBW, Würth Group, Ege Trans, Advantest, and HELU, with a focus on the synergies and potential that joint activities in certain countries and markets can offer. Furthermore, VfB Stuttgart welcomed the Japanese Consul General, Kenichi Bessho, and the Indian Consul General, Sinha Shatrughna, in the VIP box at the MHP Arena.
International experiences
The arena buzzed with an international atmosphere, from cuisine to fan greetings from all over the world. Culinary options ranged from hot dogs and chicken curry rice at Surf & Fries, to burgers and loaded buns at Pits Burger, as well as an Indian dish at Mapi. The VfB players also took to the pitch in special warm-up jackets featuring the word “Hello” in 16 different languages – reflecting the 16 nations represented on the playing and coaching staff. The jackets will be auctioned, with proceeds going to the VfB Foundation “Brustring der Herzen”.
