Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de Today is the turn of FC Bayern defender Jérôme Boateng.
My first kit: A Barça kit with Ronaldo’s name on the back. My Uncle gave it me and I wore it to school, when I played football – in fact, everywhere.
My first club: Tennis Borussia Berlin. A friend took me with him. On the first day I was shy: I was new and didn’t know anyone. However, once training got underway I felt more involved.
My first coach: Unfortunately, I can’t remember his surname but he was called Dirk. He was a cool guy. He made my first steps in the world of football fun ones.
My first game: It was for Tennis Borussia Berlin against Rot-Weiss Spandau and we won 11-0. I wore the number five and scored five times too.
My first role model: In the football world I idolised Ronaldo and Zidane. Away from sport it was my big brother George. He had everything you needed to be a top striker: He could use both feet, head the ball well, quick, had an eye for goal and could finish well.
My first title: The Berlin Championship. At Tennis Borussia Berlin we used to win a lot – we also won the Berlin Cup. I won the German Youth Championship once I signed for Hertha BSC too.
My first trip to a stadium: I watched Hertha play Milan in the Olympiastadion in the Champions League. Before then I was a ball boy for a game between Hertha and Bayern. It was always exciting to go and see the stars.
Firsts, premieres and debuts – even Germany internationals and World Champions started small. How? Where? When Why? Their first coach, their first position, their first goal, their first title – every day over the next week or so, a DFB-Team player will name their top ten personal firsts here on DFB.de Today is the turn of FC Bayern defender Jérôme Boateng.
My first kit: A Barça kit with Ronaldo’s name on the back. My Uncle gave it me and I wore it to school, when I played football – in fact, everywhere.
My first club: Tennis Borussia Berlin. A friend took me with him. On the first day I was shy: I was new and didn’t know anyone. However, once training got underway I felt more involved.
My first coach: Unfortunately, I can’t remember his surname but he was called Dirk. He was a cool guy. He made my first steps in the world of football fun ones.
My first game: It was for Tennis Borussia Berlin against Rot-Weiss Spandau and we won 11-0. I wore the number five and scored five times too.
My first role model: In the football world I idolised Ronaldo and Zidane. Away from sport it was my big brother George. He had everything you needed to be a top striker: He could use both feet, head the ball well, quick, had an eye for goal and could finish well.
My first title: The Berlin Championship. At Tennis Borussia Berlin we used to win a lot – we also won the Berlin Cup. I won the German Youth Championship once I signed for Hertha BSC too.
My first trip to a stadium: I watched Hertha play Milan in the Olympiastadion in the Champions League. Before then I was a ball boy for a game between Hertha and Bayern. It was always exciting to go and see the stars.
My first Bundesliga game: I played for Hertha against Hannover in the 2006/2007 season. Falko Götz told me I would be playing on the morning of the game. I then told my best friend, who jumped in the car and drove to the game. We lost the game 5-0.
My first professional goal: I finally scored in March 2013 against Düsseldorf and it was a special moment. It was my father’s birthday and it had been my daughter’s the day before. It was meant to be. Jupp Heynckes invited me to dinner afterwards. After the final game of the season in Gladbach I took him up on the offer and we ate in his garden.
My first international: It was a World Cup 2010 qualifier against Russia. We won the game 1-0 but I picked up two yellows and was sent off. I would never receive the first one today because I am cleverer and would have done things differently.
