interview

"I think it's just character building, you know?"

Player:

Lewis Morgan

Interview by:

Raheemovic and Ryan Tolmich

Lewis Morgan has always stood out. There is a creativity about the Scotsman’s game, the 29-year-old so often pulling the strings - and finding the net - for New York Red Bulls. A standard attacking midfielder he is not.

And on the pitch, it has been vital for RBNY. Morgan made a remarkable return from what really should have been a career-ending hip injury, won MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2024, and carried the Red Bulls within touching distance of MLS Cup.

Morgan is in his fourth season with the Red Bulls, where he has made 69 appearances and has recorded 27 goals and 11 assists in MLS regular season. Morgan led the club in goals scored last season with 13, which was his second double-digit goal scoring season with New York.

After battling through injuries in his career, Morgan had another setback in mid-March when he sustained a left knee injury in training and had successful surgery thereafter. Morgan returned to the Red Bulls lineup, but then sustained a quad injury, limiting him to just three appearances this season.

“It’s a little bit surreal when you’ve been out for a while,” he said. “It’s not like a deer in the headlights, but it’s just kind of strange when you’ve been out that long. But it’s accepting it so once you’re in the game, it’s like you’ve not been away.”

The winning touch has been important to RBNY, and off the field, things are no different. Morgan is never dull in his fits, and always up to date. Most of his looks are classic, but he does have an eye for the flashy every now and then - something embodied by his Cartier Tank Platinum Prive Skeleton watch, which set him back a cool $85,000. There are only 50 in the world. He owns No. 5.

And with pieces as desirable as that to add to his arsenal, that creativity always has a chance to stand out, especially for a player who knows about overcoming obstacles - which makes enjoying success all that much more meaningful.

Just to be yourself, be creative. Everyone kind of looks the same, and I like to try to stand out and be a little bit different.

Winning Comeback Player of the Year is as much about recognizing a person as it is a player. What did that mean to you last year?

I think it's just character building, you know? I think you take a lot of things for granted in football, and I certainly did. I hadn't really dealt with any injuries, and then to have one as big as the one that I had, it definitely tests your character. You find out a lot about yourself. Obviously, the main thing for me now is happy to be back playing and on the other side of it, and then anytime you get individual recognition, of course, it's nice, but you only do that with the help of the people around you.

This award isn't the only big moment of recognition this season for you. You also were called back into the Scotland team to play in the last Euros. What was that moment like?

When I got injured, I was never thinking, "In a year's time, I'm going to be going to the Euros." It's not something in your mind. All of that culminating in the call to the national team, which I hadn't been a part of for five years or so, it was just amazing to be back involved in that setup as well… There are too many people to thank.

Spotlight

The New York Red Bulls acquired Morgan from Inter Miami for $1.2M in GAM in December 2021. Earlier this year, the club signed Morgan to a contract extension through 2026 with options for 2027-28.

OK, let’s get to the off-the-pitch topics. Give me one fashion tip that you have for people.

One fashion tip that I have for people is just to be yourself, be creative. I think nowadays, everyone kind of looks the same, and I like to try to stand out and be a little bit different. So I think your fashion's an extension of who you are and your character. So you should all be yourself - that’s my No. 1 fashion tip.

Give me your three fashion do-nots.

My three fashion do-nots would be really, really tight T-shirts or really, really tight pants. People say don't do denim on denim, but I think it can work. But I'll put that on the borderline.

What's the most expensive fashion item you've bought?

The most expensive fashion items I bought are probably watches - if they count. Jewelry aside, I would probably say I've got a couple of suits that I wear that I probably spent maybe too much on, but I guess I'll have them around for a while.

Fast Facts

Jersey

#9

Position

Midfielder

Team

New York Red Bulls

Age

29

Birthplace

Paisley, Scotland

What's your most expensive watch? How much did you pay for it, and what model is it?

I bought a Cartier Tank Platinum Prive Skeleton edition that cost around $85,000. It was one of 50, so I was very lucky to get my hands on it. I've got No. 5 of 50.

Who's one person you follow on social media for fashion sense?

It’s a good question. I'll give a shout out to Kellyn Acosta. He's a fellow soccer player. He's probably the No. 1 player in the league when it comes to fashion. So I would say he's the person I follow with the best fashion sense.

Would you rather be the face of a major fashion brand or the creative director of a major fashion house?

I would probably rather be the face of a fashion brand - just because I don't know if I trust my creative talents to be able to carry that.

You are creating a fashion brand. What's one celebrity you would want to have as the face for the first campaign?

Lewis Hamilton. I would probably go down the sports route, and I think he's someone who personifies what I like in fashion.

What are three clothing stores in New York City that everyone should know about?

Corridor. They’re a nice boutique brand over in Greenwich Village. Packer in the Jersey City and Teaneck area. The third, I'll throw in a brand - I'll do AMI Paris. They're probably my three favorite stores.

Name one brand for the best shirts.

Corridor.

Name the brand for the best hoodies.

Fear of God (probably).

Brand for the best jeans.

Everyone wants to say Levi's, but I'll say … brand for the best jeans? I like KidSuper’s jeans.

What about the brand for the best shoes?

Nowadays I quite like New Balance. New Balance got that sort of sneaker game, sportswear on lock.

"I think it's just character building, you know?"

Just to be yourself, be creative. Everyone kind of looks the same, and I like to try to stand out and be a little bit different.

Spotlight

Fast Facts

#9

Midfielder

New York Red Bulls

29

Paisley, Scotland

Credits

More Articles

Old threads, new obsession: How retro kits became the soul of American soccer style

Kit Bag. Brings you everything you could ever need or want.