Arsenal striker Kai Havertz has spoken about how his involvement with a donkey sanctuary helps him maintain calm amid the pressures of professional football. The 27-year-old German forward, who was given three donkeys by his family when he was 18, has since established a foundation dedicated to rescuing donkeys and promoting animal welfare.

Havertz discussed his connection to the animals during an appearance on the Men in Blazers podcast, describing how the donkeys offer him a sense of tranquility and acceptance beyond his identity as a footballer. “Donkeys don’t look at you and see that you are a football player or whatever,” he said. “They see you and they are just happy that you have come to visit them. It’s just calm there.”

He added that the donkeys’ recognition and positive response make the experience especially meaningful. “That is what I like the most. The way they relate to you and the way they recognise you, and they are happy you spend time with them,” Havertz said. “It’s something special and it’s calming. That’s why I like to spend time there.”

Through his foundation, Havertz aims to rescue donkeys and improve animal welfare, combining his passion for animals with his professional life. This involvement provides him with a reprieve from the demands of top-level football, offering a peaceful environment away from the sport’s usual stresses.