Jerome Boateng

“I'm very happy at Bayern.”

“I've had three injuries, and one took from 2016 to 2017 for me to recover. Three months I was out because I wasn't perfect, and I lost a lot of games for this injury.”

“I believe my strengths are my pace and reading of the game.”

“I think it's very important that you have a good relationship with the fans. You can't lump everyone together as a fan - there are different types of fans - but I think it's important to speak to them and get to know them.”

“I am happy to be a German. I'm proud, or I wouldn't be here in the team.”

“I am the type of guy who regenerates very, very well.”

“I experienced everything at FC Bayern.”

“It really should not matter which colour of skin a person has. I know where my roots are, and I know that I've been born and raised in Germany. I see myself as a German, and I like to show that.”

“I had injuries - even when I was younger, I had problems with my back. I had to grow up very fast.”

“It would be a huge honour for me to wear the armband for Germany as the first black captain ever.”

“I intend to explore emerging trends, not only in fashion but also in music and everything related to sports.”

“My favorite sneakers, growing up, were always the Air Force 1 and the Air Max line. I started collecting when I was 13 or 14 years old.”

“Keeping up your concentration is one of the hardest tasks when you're a centre-back because a team like Bayern tend to dominate and can give you sense of false security.”

“You mostly defend with your head, always reacting to the movement of opponents and teammates. I had to become more aware of that, play with much more consideration, the way you drive a car: you always need to look left, right, and the rear mirror to see what's going on around you.”

“Fatherhood has changed my whole life.”

“My motivation is that I try to get myself to a certain point, and I want to win as much as I can in my career.”

“As a player, you would sometimes want a bit more public backing.”

“I stand for a Germany that is more colorful, cool, and optimistic about the future.”

“Messi simply cannot be stopped by yourself. Ronaldo is easier because he is more about athletic prowess.”

“The Ballon d'Or is nice, but at the end of the day, I want to have success and play good, and if people recognise me, then I'm happy.”