If we perform as a unit and if every single player gives it his very best, everything can happen.

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 have always seen myself as an athlete. Of course, I made the mistake of unintentionally opening the door to my private life by just a crack. I wouldn't do the same thing again. It has to be accepted that my private life is private, and if that isn't the case, I have to do something about it.

After the 2006 World Cup, I knew that you don't always need success, success, success on the pitch.

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.

I've never really seen myself in the role of the victim.

I think Neuer changed the game of goalkeeping in the World Cup.