The realization that you're not always standing down there on the field merely to win, to be successful, was very liberating. One can be successful by helping the team, the other players. All of a sudden I felt the kind of empathy for people that I hadn't felt before.

I want to successfully make the transition from a life in professional sports to another life, without running into major upheavals.

A Germany team should not be afraid going into a tournament. History shows that we can raise the level of our game when it matters.

Goalkeepers need an element of insanity.

If I play, I try to concentrate on producing my best.

Of course, success is a relative term. It can be something completely different from winning the German championship eight times or making millions.

Messi is undoubtedly a gifted footballer, like Maradona and Pele, and he's playing for the best club side in the world at the moment. He's successful and he's winning trophies, so it's only logical that he'll be voted the best player in the world.