Mikael Green is not your typical football fan – he supports Crystal Palace.
Another thing that sets Green apart is that instead of following his parents’ favourite team, he influenced his father, TraXX FM presenter Nigel Green, to become an Eagles fan too.
Now 19, Mikael began supporting Crystal Palace in 2018 because of wing wizard Wilfried Zaha.
“I was attracted to Zaha’s playing style. He can create opportunities out of nothing. He’s also the type of player opposition fans hate, but his own supporters love,” said Green.
“Although Zaha left to play for Manchester United in 2013, that move didn’t work out. I was delighted to see him return on a permanent deal in 2015, after spending the 2014-2015 season on loan ‘back home’ with us.
“Perhaps the time wasn’t right when he joined United, as he was only 21. But he came back a better player and was consistently Palace’s top performer.”
Green admitted to having a soft spot for underdogs, and Crystal Palace fits the bill – the club has never won a major trophy.
His love for the club even convinced his father to start supporting it.
“Dad wasn’t much of a footy fan. But when he saw how passionate I was about Palace, he, too, became a fan,” said Green.
“We’re looking forward to this weekend’s FA Cup final. I have a feeling we can win it, even though we’re facing Manchester City.”
The match, scheduled tomorrow at 11.30pm (Malaysian time), will be Palace’s third FA Cup final appearance. The club lost the 1990 and 2016 finals to Manchester United, and is one of only four clubs to have played in two finals without winning the trophy. Queen’s Park (1884 and 1885), Birmingham City (1931 and 1956), and Watford (1984 and 2019) are the others.
“What I like about Palace is that it feels like a true family club,” said Green.
“Steve Parish is a lifelong Crystal Palace supporter, and he bought the club in 2010 with three other fans – Stephen Browett, Martin Long, and Jeremy Hosking – to save it from administration.
“Although there’s a new majority owner now, that togetherness is still there, as Parish still attends each game.”
As he gears up for the “match of the ages”, Green said Palace have exciting players who could stun Manchester City – but he’ll settle for a scrappy 1-0 win.
“I don’t care if the goal comes in the last minute, as long as we win,” said Green with a hearty laugh.
“Palace have had a good season, and did beat a few of the so-called big teams this year, thanks to players like Jean-Philippe Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr, and Eberechi Eze.
“If we can finally get our hands on a trophy, it would be easier to attract even more top players, as we’d qualify for the Europa League.”
If Crystal Palace can pull off a famous victory, Green will, in the words of the club’s anthem, be ‘Glad all over’.
