Without ever having a natural talent for the game Aki Riihilahti has played over past 17 years professional football at the most competitive leagues in the world including Premier League, Bundesleague and Champions League. “Football, like life in general, is too competitive unless you make the game to match your own strengths” Riihilahti stated in one of his regular columns for The Times.
Aki Riihilahti embodies stories about desire, strategic planning and hard work. Throughout countries he has played, like UK, Germany, Norway and Sweden, Aki is known as a hard working midfielder but also as a media personality. He is currently playing and aiming for the Champions League with the most successful team in Finland, HJK. Since his return to Finland and his childhood club he has also quickly transformed the whole organization by turning around their home stadium economy and usage as the new CEO. Sonera Stadium has quickly become one of the most interesting platforms in quickly growing wellness sector.
Aki was particularly loved in his long spell with Crystal Palace in London due to his passionate approach to the game and ability to affect people he meets. He was time after time dropped from the starting lineup of his club and the national team but always fought his way back in. On the field he raises the morale of his team-mates, fills them with fighting spirit and has been chosen by other players into captaincy in all clubs he has ever played. Goals against England, Arsenal and Chelsea are good examples how he was able to raise his game when it mattered the most. He is one of the few international players that have ever been granted a place in Crystal Palace Hall of Fame, and has still cult following in South London. Riihilahti is also one of the most known Finnish people in UK due to his seven year columnist job for The Times, and thought provoking media appearances that have created him an impressive following and network through the UK and Scandinavia.
The two identities of Aki Riihilahti, on and off the pitch, could hardly be less similar. In his free time, the aggressive midfielder turns into a sympathetic and relaxed joker who has a way with words and analytical thinking. He writes sharp columns about football for Iltalehti, and about life for Helsingin Sanomat and still occasionally for The Times. Through his active interest and opinions about sports, wellbeing and society in general he was chosen to very prestige Finnish Branding Committee lead by Chairman of the Board for Nokia and Royal Dutch Shell, Mr Jorma Ollila, with a high profile task to craft a strategy for future of Finland. Riihilahti is very popular person for different strategic committees and high profile projects, or for charity organizations, guest speeches and media works.
Quotes on Aki, Simon Jordan:
“Aki Riihilahti, a ridiculous person in the best possible way - committed, brilliant work ethic, bit bonkers and totally engaging.”
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