27 May,2011 07:55 AM IST | | AFP
Park Ji-Sung has revealed that frog juice is the bizarre secret behind the lung-bursting energy that makes the South Korean a key part of Manchester United's bid to beat Barcelona in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Park's high-octane style will be an essential ingredient in Alex Ferguson's recipe for success against the Spanish champions at Wembley, but it is a much more unlikely concoction that laid the foundations for the midfielder's rise to prominence.
Park Ji-Sung
During his school days, Park's progress as a footballer was in danger as he lacked the physique required to cope with the demands on a top player's body. In a bid to fast-track Park's growth, his father would make the long journey from their home in Suwon to Go-heung county, where he would visit frog farms to gather the ingredients for an unusual protein drink. Once back home, the frog's juice would be boiled up before Park gamely swallowed it down. Park admits the juice tasted disgusting. "My father went to catch wild frogs. I was skinny and weak and my father heard their juice would give me size and strength," Park said.
"It tasted very, very bad but I had to drink it because I wanted to be a footballer and everyone said I needed to be bigger and stronger. They said it was good for my health to become stronger and so I ate it for my health."
Now established as a significant figure in Ferguson's squad, Park no longer has any need for frog juice. His astonishing work-rate, an astute tactical brain and under-rated ability on the ball have combined to make him an unsung hero with the Premier League champions.
The 30-year-old has played a major role in United reaching a third Champions League final in four years, against Barcelona.
However, Park wary of Lionel Messi & Co. "Barcelona are one of the best clubs. We have to keep an eye on Messi. Some players say that I can stop him ufffd that sounds great but one man can't stop him. Everyone will give 100 percent to stop him."
