Soccer-I was born this way, says Hungary's Adam on fat-shaming memes

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifier - Group G - Hungary v Bulgaria - Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary - March 27, 2023 Hungary's Martin Adam reacts REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo/File Photo

By Christian Radnedge

STUTTGART, Germany (Reuters) - Footballers nowadays tend to be lean and svelte to keep up with the demands of the fast-paced game, so Hungary forward Martin Adam is not surprised to see social media memes about his unusually large frame, even if some go too far.

Adam came on as a substitute late in Hungary's opening 3-1 defeat by Switzerland in Cologne and caused a stir among fans online who were surprised to see a player 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing around 86 kilogrammes running onto the pitch.

The Ulsan Hyundai striker also has a shaved head and a large ginger beard, leading to his nickname the "Hungarian Viking".

"The posts? Of course one or two get to me, I usually have a laugh about it," Adam, 29, told a press conference at the team's base on Sunday.

"I was born this way, I have this body shape. I'm not saying that I was this big when I was born, but I have a basic, physique. Genetics - I can't change that."

Most of the posts are positive, though, as Adam has quickly become something of a fan favourite already at the tournament after his short cameo.

Hungary supporters will just be hoping their No. 9 can add to his three-goal tally for the team in their next game, against Germany on Wednesday, as they seek to reach the knockout stage for the first time since Euro 2016.

(Reporting by Christian Radnedge; Editing by Hugh Lawson)