Golz asks ... Christoph Metzelder
Monday, March 6, 2006
The well known sports journalist Wolfgang Golz regularly asks prominent football players, managers, fans and experts about their expectations for the World Cup 2006 in Germany. This time he is talking to the German international Christoph Metzelder about the strengths of the German team, injuries and the joy of being able to play football again after the injury.
First of all, Mr Metzelder, the standard question in this series of interviews: Why will Germany win the 2006 World Cup?
I believe that major tournaments are not necessarily won by the best team. You have to be top fit at the right time and be lucky. Our team has a very strong team spirit and we have fantastic fans. This could generate its own dynamism and carry us through the tournament successfully.
Have you already noticed the signs of the approach of the World Cup and rising interest in football due to the World Cup?
I have begun to notice how the focus on individual players and their performance has grown. “Form barometers” are now appearing almost weekly. The pressure from outside, including from the media, is growing. However, as players we are more involved in our clubs. The foundations for a good World Cup are laid in the day-to-day work, in the Bundesliga and in European Champions League.
You had an achilles injury for a very long time. Were there times when you thought you weren’t going to make it back?
After almost two years with the threat of a possible third operation I did reach the point of losing belief in a return. When I was then able to play again it was a huge relief for me. I have never enjoyed being a professional footballer as much.
You returned quickly to the national side and were widely praised after the 1:0 victory over China. Metzelder was back again and the wobbly defence was suddenly as safe as houses.
This game was a very emotional moment for me. But I am not a Messiah. People see me as a key member of the team and I’m flattered by that. The Dortmund fans have also indicated to me: We need you! Enormous expectations were building up. So in the game against China it was important to demonstrate that I can help.
Some athletes have benefited from a prolonged injury break which has prevented early burn-out. You only have to think of the ski jumper Hannawald. Has that been the case for you?
An overwrought body gives out its own warning signs and will take the downtime it needs, if necessary through injuries. A pause can certainly be beneficial – but not for 21 months as in my case. The body has to get used to the high demands on it again afterwards. That can be difficult. Luckily I didn’t have any follow-on complications. It was a surprise to find that I no longer had any pain. And with every month that passes I feel physically stronger.
Did you ever dream of playing in the World Cup in your own country as a child?
I think as a small boy everyone dreams of that. And even girls dream of it nowadays. The national team is the pinnacle for everyone. Naturally I did follow the German team back then. But as a footballer I was a late starter. I only came into the Bundesliga via the 3rd division with Preußen Münster.
Did you have any idols?
Yes, Karl-Heinz Förster, who funnily enough was also a defender. When I was at kindergarten I once found a picture of him – one of those Panini sticker portraits – on the footpath. From then on I wanted to be a footballer. My father wanted to push me more in the direction of athletics.
Have you ever met Karl-Heinz Förster in person?
No. But an internet site once sent me a signed photograph of him on my birthday. That was a nice present.
You became captain of Borussia Dortmund at a very young age. What predestined you for that?
I think I was the youngest captain in Bundesliga history at 22. But due to my injury I never actually played with the captain’s armband. Our then manager Matthias Sammer was attempting to set a signal for the younger players to take responsibility. Rosicky was Number 2 and played as captain. It was very early. The current solution with Christian Wörns as an experienced player as captain makes probably more sense.
Modern players are under constant observation from the public. How do you deal with that?
It is an integral part of professional football that you are in the public eye and learn how to deal with this. There is an obligation to the fans, the media and the sponsors. So much money is involved that one cannot shut oneself off completely. The younger players have grown up with it and are pretty relaxed about it. For me, for example, meetings with sponsors provide insights which I otherwise wouldn’t get. However, some of the events people wouldn’t have got involved in ten years ago. But Borussia Dortmund is currently in a more defensive role, so we have to be particularly co-operative there.
Your club has had some difficult times, including the threat of financial collapse. How much does that affect you as a player?
It was a shock because it began at the time when we were enjoying great success and had outstanding players and won the Champions League and the Bundesliga. We as a team were not informed and the press was told a lot of half-truths. These things are discussed in the team. Sportsmen need a positive atmosphere for success to grow. With us rumours of financial problems and player moves were doing the rounds and the team’s performance took a dive. I am sure the two were connected.
Some fans worship the players almost as gods. How do you cope with that?
That is a tough one for me. My private sphere begins when I leave the training ground and drive home. But in general I am open to the fans. People are very sincere and have accepted me with open arms. But they also want to be taken seriously.
What do the players on the national team think of the success of the German women’s team? They are already world champions?
I’m a big fan of the girls. I was glued to the TV watching the World Cup final and both teams were honoured together by the President. At the moment it is still much harder for them to perform than for us. They are still fighting for recognition. If I see how women’s football is promoted in the USA, it is completely different over there.
What do you do for your mind with such a physical job?
Reading.
And what do you read?
I read all kinds of things. At the moment? “Signal and Noise” by John Griesemer.
The German team’s first game in the World Cup is against Costa Rica. Are they a good first opponent in your eyes?
The last few World Cups started with surprises. In view of the high level of expectation on us it might have been better to start against Poland. If I think of the many forecasts there will be: how many goals will we be expected to score? A big win can of course lead to great excitement. If I think back to the World Cup in 2002, we had been criticised and were told we had no chance. Then we beat Saudi Arabia 8:0 in our first game. That gave us a huge push. We drove back to the hotel and asked ourselves: what has actually happened here??
You would be happy if that happened again, wouldn’t you?
Of course.
Do you have any World Cup tickets for friends and relations?
No. We are still discussing it internally in the national team. We want to sort it out as quickly as possible, as it could become a potential distraction.
Christoph Metzelder was born in Haltern in Westphalia on 5 November 1980. He completed his Abitur (school leaving examinations) with an average score of 1.8 (on a scale of 1 (best) to 6 (worst)). He has played for TuS Haltern, FC Schalke 04, Preußen Münster and since 2000 for Borussia Dortmund. At 6 foot 3 inches tall he is the ideal build for a defender and wins 74% of headers, making him the leader in the Bundesliga. He made his debut as a professional footballer at the age of 20 and had already become Bundesliga Champion and a runner up in the World Cup at the age of 22. Metzelder has gained 17 caps for Germany so far.