Kevin Trapp: 10 things on the PSG-owned Eintracht Frankfurt and Germany goalkeeper
Kevin Trapp is one of Germany's best goalkeepers, but it turns out the gloved wonder is also one of the most likable and intelligent players in world football today.
1) Raised by Devils
bundesliga.com profiles the life and times of the Paris-Saint Germain loanee, back between the Eintracht Frankfurt posts for the 2018/19 campaign...
With his safe hands and catalogue model good looks, Trapp has never been short of admirers. Kaiserslautern were the first German football staple to turn the Merzig-born stopper's head, luring him to their U17 team in January 2007. He also played for the U19s and reserves, before making his first-team debut in a DFB Cup first-round match against Carl Zeiss Jena in August 2008. Trapp eventually established himself as Kaiserslautern's No.1 two thirds of the way through the 2010/11 Bundesliga campaign, but left the club for Frankfurt a year later following the Red Devils' relegation to the second tier.
3) Parisienne walkways
Trapp was an instant hit in the French capital, deposing Salvatore Sirigu as PSG's No.1 in Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches. The former Frankfurt man earned his first call-up to the senior Germany national team during the Paris giants' 2015/16 quadruple-winning campaign, but had to wait until June 2017 to make his debut. Despite spending the majority of the 2017/18 club circuit playing second fiddle to Alphonse Areola, Trapp earned a further two caps before travelling to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad as Germany's third-choice custodian.
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4) In awe of Buffon
Upon his return to pre-season training in July 2018, Trapp was greeted by the news that Gianluigi Buffon was about to join PSG from Juventus. The three-time Germany international graciously welcomed the arrival of one of the world's best ever goalkeepers, even if - deep down, much like Sirigu before him - he probably knew it spelled the end of his Parisian tenure. "For me, as a goalkeeper, Gigi of course is a legend," Trapp said. "What he did the last couple of years, at that age, on that level, that is remarkable. To train with him every day is really special."
5) The Frankfurt years - part II
Sure enough, Trapp spent little more than six weeks in Buffon's shadow. All manner of potential suitors were mooted by the European press, but when push came to shove there was only ever going to be one winner. "While in Paris, I regularly recalled my great times in Frankfurt," Trapp said, having rejoined Frankfurt on a season-long loan in August 2018. "I would like to experience that again, of course. It is important that I get back into an environment where I feel good and can play - I am looking forward to another year with Eintracht."
7) Kevin and RiRi go large
Goulart isn't the only glamorous lady Trapp has managed to charm. In October 2015, he caught the eye of international RnB star Rihanna, a spectator at PSG's Parc des Princes for a Ligue 1 match against Marseille. Trapp, who saved an Abdelazizi Barrada penalty, later took to Instagram to show off a picture of the pair, stealing a peck on the cheek and autograph for his commanding efforts.
8) Fighting Neymar's corner
Clearly, Trapp is no stranger to rubbing shoulders with the stars. Arguably one of the biggest he has encountered is Neymar, who joined PSG from Barcelona in summer 2017 for what, at the time, was a world record transfer fee. Various accounts of the Brazil international have since emerged, but Trapp insists his former teammate is not the insolent diva he is made out to be. "Neymar has a huge heart," he told Bild. "He is incredibly nice and helpful. He's anything but arrogant and is totally integrated into the team. He's just a leader who wants to win."
9) Dispelling the Zlatan myth
Trapp spoke in similarly effusive tones about Zlatan Ibrahimovic, having played in the same PSG team as one of football's most polarising figures in 2015/16. "He's very, very professional and never slacks off," Trapp said in an interview with Die Welt. "A lot of people thinks he's unapproachable, but that couldn't be further from the truth. He came up to me on my first day and said he's here to help me if I need anything. Much like Cristiano Ronaldo, people have the wrong perception of him. He's professional, friendly and a top guy."