Storm legend turns 50

Haas: “GAK? That’s the next stupid frog!”

Mario Haas browses through snapshots of his great career.(Bild: Sepp Pail)

When Mario Haas turns 50, readers will receive a few gifts - that's for sure! The eternal Sturm legend, who is also a columnist for the "Steirerkrone", dropped by the Styrian "Krone" newsroom on Monday before his anniversary day. A journey through time with Super Mario that leaves no eye dry.

"Krone": Mario, you embody SK Sturm. With a total of 550 appearances (451 of them in the Bundesliga) and 179 goals, you are and will remain the eternal record holder. When did the Sturm spirit take hold of you?
Mario Haas: At the age of eight, at home in the Schönausiedlung in Graz. There wasn't much else after school apart from soccer. When Sturm played, the estate was suddenly empty. A friend I used to play football with said: "Come to Sturm, they're looking for people". I went, but I didn't even know what to take with me. The first time I went, I wore long underpants.