Jerome Boateng is a dedicated player both on and off the pitch. In a DFB.de interview with reporter Steffen Lüdeke ahead of the international friendlies against Italy in Milan on Friday (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET) and against England in London on Tuesday (live on ARD from 21:00 CET), the Bayern Munich defender discusses the rivalry between his team-mates, social projects and the last international matches of the year.
DFB.de: Mr Boateng, the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich is coming up in just nine days' time, but you've already begun building up to it while here with the national team.
Jerome Boateng: Have I?
DFB.de: You had a competition with Dortmund's Marco Reus to see who could hit the leg of a table at the other end of a corridor. Who won?
Boateng: As it turns out, the match against Dortmund is currently goalless because neither of us scored. (laughs)
DFB.de: Which creative mastermind came up with the game?
Boateng: I can’t remember exactly any more. It kind of happened spontaneously, but it was fun.
DFB.de: Based on that story, would you conclude that the club rivalry between Bayern and Dortmund is irrelevant when it comes to the national team?
Boateng: Yes, absolutely. I can't understand this debate anyway. I get on really well with Marco. He's a great guy and an exceptional footballer to boot. I have a good relationship with the other Dortmund players too. Everyone gets on well with the other players, irrespective of which clubs we come from. Everyone has different personalities and different interests, but it doesn’t mean we can’t all get on with one another.
DFB.de: You trained with the national team at Säbener Straße this week, at the Bayern training ground. What was that like for the Bayern players in the squad?
Boateng: Very enjoyable. We're training in our own backyard; we know everyone here. It's like playing a home match, and you always feel most comfortable at home.
DFB.de: You published a special post on Facebook recently. After Dortmund's Neven Subotic tore his cruciate ligament you wished him a speedy recovery. What made you do that?
Boateng: I just felt sorry for him. He's a very good defender and one of my peers. I had a little argument with him during the Champions League final, it was very emotionally charged, but I wouldn't wish for anyone to sustain an injury like that. As footballers, we rely on our health. I hope he can get back out on a pitch again quickly. I just wanted to convey that.
DFB.de: Did Subotic respond?
Boateng: I don’t know if he read it, and I didn't publish that message to win anyone's approval. I just wanted to make it clear that any emotions on the pitch belong there, and while we’re there we’re enemies as far as I'm concerned. But you have to be able to set that aside and realise that all of that comes to an end once the final whistle blows, especially when it comes to someone’s health.
DFB.de: Do you wish that this kind of gesture was more common among footballers?
Boateng: Yes, but everyone is responsible for their own actions. I can only influence the way I behave and what I say.
DFB.de: Thousands of people in the Philippines are currently suffering on a much larger scale. You also wrote about this on Facebook, saying: "My thoughts are with the victims of Typhoon Haiyan and their families, and I wish them strength and courage in this difficult situation." What prompted you to do this?
Boateng: I'm living my dream. I'm a footballer, I'm doing well, my family are healthy, and I'm healthy. I know my message changes very little, if anything, but I felt it was necessary to say that I am thinking of them. Perhaps it’s also because you become more aware of your own good fortune in light of catastrophes like this. I don't lack anything but these people, who had very little to begin with, have lost everything in a matter of seconds. Because of all that, I expressed my sympathy.
DFB.de: You are involved in several social projects. How do you choose where you can specifically help?
Boateng: I can't save the world but there are lots of opportunities to help, and not just in financial terms. Sometimes, little gestures or an open ear are more valuable. But of course, I try to give something back where I can. I'm currently in discussions with UNICEF; nothing has been decided yet, but I'd like to get involved in Brazil somehow next year. If possible, I'd like to sponsor a project there. But I don't want to exaggerate things. First and foremost, I’m a footballer, that’s my main focus.
DFB.de: In footballing terms, things have been going quite well for you for a while now.
Boateng: Thanks.
DFB.de: You recently scored for the first time in a while with a fantastic goal against Augsburg.
Boateng: Thanks again.
DFB.de: As that goal was so spectacular, can you describe it once more from your perspective?
Boateng: I hit it with my left foot on the turn; I was a bit surprised to have struck it so well and was very pleased with it. Going 1-0 up is always important, but for me it was a lovely experience just because I don't score goals very often. The only thing missing now is my first goal for the national team.
DFB.de: Was that goal against Augsburg your best professional goal?
Boateng: Yes, I think so. I'm just surprised that all my goals so far have come either from my head or my left foot. I still haven’t scored with my stronger right foot.
DFB.de: It could still happen.
Boateng: It’s got to happen.
DFB.de: Everything was going very well for you for a long time, but then in the match against Mainz you had a slip-up.
Boateng: That’s right, but it was the first big error I've made in a year. It was a silly mistake, of course, but I’ve always said that I’m not a machine.
DFB.de: You have previously criticised the fact that any mistakes you make are always the subject of particularly intense debate. Has that changed?
Boateng: It has got better. I think I'll always attract a lot of criticism, but it doesn't bother me as much anymore. I just try to play my game and not let myself be affected by what is written about me afterwards.
DFB.de: On Friday, you'll be playing with the national team against Italy in Milan. How well do you remember the EURO 2012 semi-final?
Boateng: I still think about that match every now and again, especially because we're now playing against Italy again. But I generally try to process negative experiences and matches and then forget about them. I prefer to hold onto positive memories and experiences.
DFB.de: Are Italy a bogey team for the German national team?
Boateng: Up to now, yes, so it’s up to us to change that.
DFB.de: Will a friendly match be enough to do that?
Boateng: Winning a friendly will be a good start. That way, if we meet them again in Brazil, we will be in a better position to stop them being our bogey team once and for all.
DFB.de: While with the national team in Munich, you haven't just been preparing for the World Cup in sporting terms, but verbally too, by getting Portuguese lessons from Cacau. What have you learned?
Boateng: Oh dear. We only had a short lesson, but it was a lot of fun. And Cacau said my pronunciation was very good. (laughs)
DFB.de: You might not be able to master Portuguese before the World Cup begins next year, but will you try to learn a couple of words and phrases of the language as part of your preparations?
Boateng: Yes. Firstly, because it's definitely helpful on a day-to-day basis if you can at least master a few phrases, but also because I think it shows respect for your hosts.
DFB.de: For many footballers, a World Cup in Brazil is the absolute highlight of their careers. Will it be the same for you?
Boateng: Honestly? Not quite; not for me anyway. My highlight was the World Cup in South Africa. My father comes from Africa, it was my first World Cup, and I played against my brother, so that particular tournament will always be something special for me. It will be difficult to top that experience.
DFB.de: Except by winning the World Cup, perhaps.
Boateng: Well, yes, that would be something else entirely.
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[bild1]
Jerome Boateng is a dedicated player both on and off the pitch. In a DFB.de interview with reporter Steffen Lüdeke ahead of the international friendlies against Italy in Milan on Friday (live on ZDF from 20:45 CET) and against England in London on Tuesday (live on ARD from 21:00 CET), the Bayern Munich defender discusses the rivalry between his team-mates, social projects and the last international matches of the year.
DFB.de: Mr Boateng, the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich is coming up in just nine days' time, but you've already begun building up to it while here with the national team.
Jerome Boateng: Have I?
DFB.de: You had a competition with Dortmund's Marco Reus to see who could hit the leg of a table at the other end of a corridor. Who won?
Boateng: As it turns out, the match against Dortmund is currently goalless because neither of us scored. (laughs)
DFB.de: Which creative mastermind came up with the game?
Boateng: I can’t remember exactly any more. It kind of happened spontaneously, but it was fun.
DFB.de: Based on that story, would you conclude that the club rivalry between Bayern and Dortmund is irrelevant when it comes to the national team?
Boateng: Yes, absolutely. I can't understand this debate anyway. I get on really well with Marco. He's a great guy and an exceptional footballer to boot. I have a good relationship with the other Dortmund players too. Everyone gets on well with the other players, irrespective of which clubs we come from. Everyone has different personalities and different interests, but it doesn’t mean we can’t all get on with one another.
DFB.de: You trained with the national team at Säbener Straße this week, at the Bayern training ground. What was that like for the Bayern players in the squad?
Boateng: Very enjoyable. We're training in our own backyard; we know everyone here. It's like playing a home match, and you always feel most comfortable at home.
DFB.de: You published a special post on Facebook recently. After Dortmund's Neven Subotic tore his cruciate ligament you wished him a speedy recovery. What made you do that?
Boateng: I just felt sorry for him. He's a very good defender and one of my peers. I had a little argument with him during the Champions League final, it was very emotionally charged, but I wouldn't wish for anyone to sustain an injury like that. As footballers, we rely on our health. I hope he can get back out on a pitch again quickly. I just wanted to convey that.
DFB.de: Did Subotic respond?
Boateng: I don’t know if he read it, and I didn't publish that message to win anyone's approval. I just wanted to make it clear that any emotions on the pitch belong there, and while we’re there we’re enemies as far as I'm concerned. But you have to be able to set that aside and realise that all of that comes to an end once the final whistle blows, especially when it comes to someone’s health.
DFB.de: Do you wish that this kind of gesture was more common among footballers?
Boateng: Yes, but everyone is responsible for their own actions. I can only influence the way I behave and what I say.
DFB.de: Thousands of people in the Philippines are currently suffering on a much larger scale. You also wrote about this on Facebook, saying: "My thoughts are with the victims of Typhoon Haiyan and their families, and I wish them strength and courage in this difficult situation." What prompted you to do this?
Boateng: I'm living my dream. I'm a footballer, I'm doing well, my family are healthy, and I'm healthy. I know my message changes very little, if anything, but I felt it was necessary to say that I am thinking of them. Perhaps it’s also because you become more aware of your own good fortune in light of catastrophes like this. I don't lack anything but these people, who had very little to begin with, have lost everything in a matter of seconds. Because of all that, I expressed my sympathy.
DFB.de: You are involved in several social projects. How do you choose where you can specifically help?
Boateng: I can't save the world but there are lots of opportunities to help, and not just in financial terms. Sometimes, little gestures or an open ear are more valuable. But of course, I try to give something back where I can. I'm currently in discussions with UNICEF; nothing has been decided yet, but I'd like to get involved in Brazil somehow next year. If possible, I'd like to sponsor a project there. But I don't want to exaggerate things. First and foremost, I’m a footballer, that’s my main focus.
DFB.de: In footballing terms, things have been going quite well for you for a while now.
Boateng: Thanks.
DFB.de: You recently scored for the first time in a while with a fantastic goal against Augsburg.
Boateng: Thanks again.
DFB.de: As that goal was so spectacular, can you describe it once more from your perspective?
Boateng: I hit it with my left foot on the turn; I was a bit surprised to have struck it so well and was very pleased with it. Going 1-0 up is always important, but for me it was a lovely experience just because I don't score goals very often. The only thing missing now is my first goal for the national team.
DFB.de: Was that goal against Augsburg your best professional goal?
Boateng: Yes, I think so. I'm just surprised that all my goals so far have come either from my head or my left foot. I still haven’t scored with my stronger right foot.
DFB.de: It could still happen.
Boateng: It’s got to happen.
DFB.de: Everything was going very well for you for a long time, but then in the match against Mainz you had a slip-up.
Boateng: That’s right, but it was the first big error I've made in a year. It was a silly mistake, of course, but I’ve always said that I’m not a machine.
DFB.de: You have previously criticised the fact that any mistakes you make are always the subject of particularly intense debate. Has that changed?
Boateng: It has got better. I think I'll always attract a lot of criticism, but it doesn't bother me as much anymore. I just try to play my game and not let myself be affected by what is written about me afterwards.
DFB.de: On Friday, you'll be playing with the national team against Italy in Milan. How well do you remember the EURO 2012 semi-final?
Boateng: I still think about that match every now and again, especially because we're now playing against Italy again. But I generally try to process negative experiences and matches and then forget about them. I prefer to hold onto positive memories and experiences.
DFB.de: Are Italy a bogey team for the German national team?
Boateng: Up to now, yes, so it’s up to us to change that.
DFB.de: Will a friendly match be enough to do that?
Boateng: Winning a friendly will be a good start. That way, if we meet them again in Brazil, we will be in a better position to stop them being our bogey team once and for all.
[bild2]
DFB.de: While with the national team in Munich, you haven't just been preparing for the World Cup in sporting terms, but verbally too, by getting Portuguese lessons from Cacau. What have you learned?
Boateng: Oh dear. We only had a short lesson, but it was a lot of fun. And Cacau said my pronunciation was very good. (laughs)
DFB.de: You might not be able to master Portuguese before the World Cup begins next year, but will you try to learn a couple of words and phrases of the language as part of your preparations?
Boateng: Yes. Firstly, because it's definitely helpful on a day-to-day basis if you can at least master a few phrases, but also because I think it shows respect for your hosts.
DFB.de: For many footballers, a World Cup in Brazil is the absolute highlight of their careers. Will it be the same for you?
Boateng: Honestly? Not quite; not for me anyway. My highlight was the World Cup in South Africa. My father comes from Africa, it was my first World Cup, and I played against my brother, so that particular tournament will always be something special for me. It will be difficult to top that experience.
DFB.de: Except by winning the World Cup, perhaps.
Boateng: Well, yes, that would be something else entirely.
