I do feel my African side, but I've always wanted to play for Germany. Ghana did contact me, but I told them and my dad that I was sure I wanted to play for Germany.

Jerome Boateng

Categorized in : Me Feel Play Dad

You need bad times to become a better and strong player.

better you bad-times strong

Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win, sometimes you are unlucky, but that's life.

win you sometimes life

I don't want to be criticised for wearing sunglasses in the sun.

wearing sunglasses want sun

When you have two daughters, you are complete. The whole day changes for you. It's a lot about them, how you act, how you feel, and when they were born; it's a completely new situation... Of course, sometimes you have to say, 'No, this isn't right.' But I always wanted to be a young father, and I am very proud of them.

i-am day you father

I know my own mistakes; I know when I have to do better.

mistakes better know my-own

You don't get anywhere without hard work. The earlier you understand that, the better.

better you hard-work work

When you get a little bit older, you're always trying to do something different from your siblings.

your you always trying

In Germany, young players are given more time, more patience. In England, they prefer to buy already-high-level players rather than spending some time building up a really talented young guy.

some building time patience

It was especially tough following my shoulder injury. I was able to play again after three months out, but it wasn't the same Boateng. I had the feeling I was in another body.

feeling tough body play

I have to open the game from my position. It's really important to play with the ball.

game position important play

Messi is so quick; he's so good. For me, he's the best player in the world.

best good me world

I like to play against strikers and think that, from my size alone, I'm more of a central defender.

alone like think play

I play where the coach puts me and try to help the team.

try me team play

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.

your you security team

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.

mirror look you car

It's absolutely fine to be a bit more reactive and not chase after the ball at times. But you cannot be passive.

ball more you fine

Fatherhood has changed my whole life.

fatherhood changed whole life

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

grow injuries problems back

Jay-Z is one of the biggest stars in the world and such an icon. He was so down to earth. It was like talking to a friend. I have huge respect for how he handles everything.

friend respect stars world

It is not a normal game when you play against your brother.

your game you brother