You may keep up with Sporting Kansas City on the pitch, but what about away from the field?
Just Because, presented by Hallmark, is a feature series on SportingKC.com that provides an exclusive look into the lives of players outside of soccer—because everyday moments are sometimes worth celebrating just like a game-winning goal.
In the second edition of Just Because, we catch up with center back and Hungary native Botond Barath, who left his hometown of Budapest for the first time last December to join Sporting Kansas City.
What is your favorite part about living and working in Kansas City?
It’s a small city with not too many people. You can rest and relax because it’s not too big or too crowded. That’s the best part.
What is your favorite place to eat in the Kansas City area? What do you order?
Lazia! It is a restaurant in the Crossroads Hotel. I mostly get their pasta or pizza.
Other than soccer, which sport would you want to go pro in?
I like American football and baseball. I would probably want to play baseball.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents.
What athlete did you look up to growing up?
Carles Puyol, the Spanish center back for Barcelona. I wanted to be just like him.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I won the Hungarian league title (with Budapest Honved FC) in 2017. This is my best accomplishment so far. Maybe this year with Sporting we can win MLS Cup.
Who is your favorite musical artist?
I like a lot of music, but if I had to choose, I would choose Eminem because rap is my favorite kind of music.
What is your favorite movie?
I like the Marvel movies—especially The Avengers movies. Endgame was absolutely fantastic.
Are you hooked on any TV shows?
Not hooked on anything. I just watch ESPN. If I had to choose one TV show, maybe America’s Got Talent. I like the talent shows a lot.
What professional sports teams do you support?
FC Barcelona and, of course, Sporting KC.
What is your favorite place to travel to for a vacation?
I’ve been to a lot of places, but my favorite was Barcelona. I would like to go to the Bahamas or somewhere tropical.
If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be and why?
That’s a tough question. I never think about things like this. Probably Carles Puyol, because I could learn from him.
Which of your teammates is a must follow on social media and why?
Daniel Salloi. He spends a lot of time on social media.
If you could be any animal in the world, what would it be and why?
A dog, because they are always smiling and always happy.
Do you have any gameday rituals or superstitions?
I play FIFA on X-Box or watch movies. I try to switch off my head and just get focused.
What team do you use on FIFA?
Sporting or Barcelona because I like to play as myself.
What do you miss most about Hungary?
The food. My parents and friends, too, of course. But really the food.
What is your favorite Hungarian food, and can you get it here in KC?
Goulash. You can’t get it anywhere here, but I can cook it myself.
You have several tattoos. Do you have a favorite?
My favorite is on my leg. It’s pictures of Budapest, and it took seven trips and six hours to get.
What was the weirdest thing to get accustomed to in America?
I can use my bank card if I’d like to pick up money from my car. I can sit in my car and get cash (from an ATM). You can’t do that in Hungary.
What was your favorite European country to visit when you lived in Europe?
I really like Estonia. It was nice. Finland was great, too. But my favorite country to visit was the United Arab Emirates—Dubai was super cool.
