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There cannot be many footballers in the world who identify as strongly with their clubs as Kevin Großkreutz does with Borussia Dortmund. And while numerous observers view that as a key part of the 25-year-old’s appeal, there is an equal number of detractors who find it just as disconcerting. Yet the player himself pays little heed to either camp, instead remaining as he has always been: honest, committed and straight-talking.
Großkreutz is back in the Germany squad after a three-year absence, having played himself into contention thanks to his versatility and a series of top-class performances. Currently in Brazil preparing to take part in his first-ever World Cup, Großkreutz spoke to DFB.de editor Steffen Lüdeke about his club, his past mistakes and his chances of playing in the tournament.
DFB.de: Kevin, how happy are you that there are no kebab shops in Campo Bahia?
Kevin Großkreutz: To be honest, I don’t find that particularly funny. There’s also no hotel lobby if that’s what was coming next. I don’t think we need to talk about those things in this interview.
DFB.de: Is that because you have already drawn a line under them?
Großkreutz: That’s not what it’s about.
DFB.de: What is it about then?
Großkreutz: Everything that needed to be said about that issue has already been said. I don’t think I need to participate in playing down what happened. I made a mistake and I don’t want to make anything more of it. I disappointed a few people, including myself and my family, but I can’t do more than apologise and I’ve already done that. I’d prefer to talk about sport, football and the World Cup. That’s what interests me.
DFB.de: Then let’s talk about football. Over the last two years you have played in almost every position at Dortmund. What kind of footballer do you see yourself as?
Großkreutz: I just think I’m a footballer. Given the season we’ve had I couldn’t say what my position is as I really did play almost everywhere: from right-back to left-back, in attack and on the left wing. I don’t have a favourite position; my favourite position is simply being out on the pitch. I’m happy when I play and when I’m able to help the team. I always give my all wherever the coach puts me.
DFB.de: Are there any positions you would refuse to fill if the national team coach asked you to play there?
Großkreutz: Definitely not. I feel comfortable anywhere on the pitch and I’m confident and experienced enough to know what needs to be done in each position, and that includes in the national team.
DFB.de: I would like to talk about the beginning of your international career. It started in a rather unconventional way…
Großkreutz: Did it?
DFB.de: Yes, you made your debut for the senior team before making your first appearance for the U-21s. Normally it happens the other way round.
Großkreutz: Ah right, that’s true. That was after my first season in the Bundesliga and the coach invited me to join the squad for a charity match against Malta in Aachen ahead of the World Cup in South Africa. That was huge for me and was a massive honour, even if I didn’t go to the World Cup. After the tournament I was called up by the U-21 coach and asked if I wanted to play against Iceland. Of course I wanted to! It wasn’t a great game for us though as we lost 1-4.
DFB.de: Yet you still managed to score.
Großkreutz: True, but it didn’t change much.
DFB.de: It is widely known that you are a Borussia Dortmund fan, but how much of a Germany fan were you?
Großkreutz: I’m still a huge fan of the national team. I can still remember clearly what the 2006 World Cup was like in Dortmund. The city is crazy about football, and not only when Dortmund play. There was so much going on during the tournament, it was amazing. I was at the stadium for the Poland match and I’ll never forget that. I was at Friedensplatz for the rest of the competition. It was unique. I still find it strange that I used to cheer the team on and now I’m part of it.
DFB.de: That must also be what it is like for you at Dortmund. Or is there a difference in terms of playing for your club and your country in that regard?
Großkreutz: No, there aren’t any big differences but it’s still a strange feeling. It’s actually very similar to being at a club here. We have a lot of fun together and the team spirit is fantastic. It reminds me a lot of being at Dortmund.
DFB.de: Much is often made of the different Bayern Munich and Dortmund contingents in the national side and what that might do for team spirit. Yet here you have been seen laughing frequently with Manuel Neuer and even with two Schalke players, Julian Draxler and Benedikt Höwedes…
Großkreutz: Everyone gets on with everyone else. And in our ‘house’ here, the apartment I’m sharing, everything is great. Players from different teams are all mixed up and I think that’s a good thing. The team-mates in my apartment are all big fans of the teams they play for, but that’s not a divisive thing - it brings us together. We laugh a lot together, have a lot of fun and crack plenty of jokes. It’s great. The club you play for isn’t important when you’re with the national team anyway. I’m not here as a Dortmund international, I’m here as a German international.
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DFB.de: You were not called up to the national team for three years. Did you always hope that you would be back one day?
Großkreutz: I was very relaxed about it. I’ve always given everything I‘ve got and I’m a believer that hard work will eventually be rewarded. That’s what has happened with me now.
DFB.de: Has anything changed in the time you were away?
Großkreutz: No, nothing at all. I was made to feel very welcome back then and had great fun with the lads. It’s exactly the same now. The atmosphere in the squad is fantastic, the conditions here are great - there’s nothing that could be improved. That was the case three years ago too.
DFB.de: Have you changed in those three years?
Großkreutz: [Pauses to think] I don’t think so. I’m still there same person I was three years ago.
DFB.de: What about in footballing terms?
Großkreutz: I’m more experienced now and have been playing in the Bundesliga for five years. I’ve played in big international finals and won a few domestic titles. It’s only natural that those experiences would influence me as a player. For example, I’m a lot calmer going into big games than I used to be.
DFB.de: You have been in Brazil for five days. What have you made of it so far?
Großkreutz: I like it here a lot. The Brazilians welcomed us incredibly well, that truly was a unique experience. Our World Cup base is perfect, the pitch is superb and the weather’s great. Everything’s good.
DFB.de: Football aside, have you been able to see much of the people here and the conditions the population of Santo André live in?
Großkreutz: A little bit. Visiting a school was a great experience for me and I took a lot away from that. We were able to put smiles on the faces of children who have very little. The kids were delighted just because we were there. It was a very moving visit for me. We didn’t actually do very much but still managed to have a big impact.
DFB.de: How do you deal with having that kind of effect on people, just through your sheer presence?
Großkreutz: It’s not something I’m really aware of, but it is strange. I’m nothing special, I’m just a normal person like everyone else. Which makes those kinds of reactions difficult to understand.
DFB.de: There has been lots of coverage regarding the overall strain the tournament and the Brazilian climate will put on players. What are your thoughts on the conditions in Brazil so far?
Großkreutz: It’s certainly very different from Germany. The sun is really strong at midday but I think we’re prepared to cope with that. The temperature and the climate won’t be a problem for us. We’re fit and can deal with it.
DFB.de: Joachim Löw said in a press conference that Philipp Lahm will play in midfield. Do you think the chances of you playing at right-back against Portugal on Monday have increased because of that?
Großkreutz: I’d be lying if I said I’m not hoping that’s the case. I want to play, just like everyone here, but I’m here to help the team in any way I can. Even if I don’t play I’ll support the side. I’ll put 100 per cent into any role I’m asked to do. I want to be successful with this team and win the title. The only way we can do that is if everyone puts the team’s needs first at all times.
