The player can only compete with the best internationally when they've committed themselves to this goal. They have to be properly supported until that point.

To any young kid who wants to be a footballer, I would simply say: Have fun playing football and enjoy the team - spirit. That's the right attitude; that will bring you pleasure and fulfillment in football. A baker cannot live on bread he made yesterday, and a footballer cannot live on his last game. It's about the here and now.

We Germans are so good at penalties because we have had to rebuild our country twice.

We cannot win this World Cup, because we are not at that level yet. For us, we have to play the game of our lives seven times to win the tournament.

You have to work more than your adversary.

If the national coach lets decisions be made from outside, he's lost the team.

I think when there's enough will and aggression, there's no shortage of talent either.