By Izabela Muczynska

Jacek Goralski, 24, plays in midfield for Jagiellonia Bialystok. He joined the team last season and made an instant impression on the fans. His teammates and fans have started calling Goralski ‘Piranha’ or ‘Pit-bull’ due to his style of play. His rise at club level was rewarded when he was called up to Poland’s national squad for the World Cup qualifying games against Slovenia and Romania.

Goralski made his debut during Poland’s 1-1 draw against Slovenia, where he made an impression on the commentators, fans and most importantly the manager, Adam Nawalka. Goralski received his first full cap when he started in the next qualifier against Romania. Poland won 3-0 and Goralski showed his potential playing alongside more experienced teammates such as Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak. Goralski showed his dominance in tackling and game awareness.

Jagiellonia’s midfielder is a very tenacious player. Once he approaches the ball, he won’t let anybody take it away from him. Goralski recently said, “when I play, I try not to kick the opponent and I look and focus on the ball only. If I hurt him somehow, I apologise straight away. That’s never my purpose”.

Nicknames used by his teammates and fans make him laugh, but he is just taking it with a pinch of salt.

“Those nicknames were created during my time at Wisla Plock, so I got used to them. However, I am not going to lie, I prefer when they call me ‘Goral’ (a nickname created out of his last name)” says the Jagiellonia Bialystok’s midfielder.

How did it all start? Football doesn’t run in the Goralski family, but he always enjoyed playing with his friends. His family, wanting to encourage this enjoyment took him and his brother to a football academy.

“When I was eight years old, my father took me and my brother for our first training session. We loved it; I had always been thinking that football is something that I want to do in my life. My brother ended his football experience at age 15, but I have decided to continue it and here I am” Goralski speaking about his first experience in football.

Goralski has constantly had to work hard, with many people saying at five foot six inches he was too short for football. This never stopped his determination to play; it only gave him more resolve to prove these people wrong and in doing so inspiring the next generation. Whilst at Wisla Plock, Goralski received encouragement from the manager who firmly believed height didn’t matter.

Under this support, Goralski grew as a player and now could become a key player in Poland’s national team.