Dávid Hancko

Written by Lukas Vrablik for the Guardian Experts’ Network:

Another product of MSK Zilina’s youth setup, David Hancko was seen as one of the best young wing-backs in eastern Europe. After a short spell at Fiorentina, Sparta Prague’s sporting director, Tomas Rosicky, signed him on loan and Hancko was turned into a centre-back. That is the position he occupies now in Feyenoord’s defence, where he helped Arne Slot’s side to become the Dutch champions in 2023. Interestingly, Hancko continues playing as a left-back for the national team, and is useful in the team’s attacking play. Hancko has a son with his wife, the Czech tennis player Kristyna Pliskova. While playing in Zilina’s youth team, Hancko struggled badly with injuries. His dad, Jan, once visited him in the hospital. “Daddy, do you think that someone will want a footballer with broken legs?” he asked, prompting his father to cry later on.