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

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

When we lose the ball, I don't want to win it back directly. I act smarter now, have better anticipation, and also start earlier when somebody tries to lob the ball over me.

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.

There is a no more complete striker than Ronaldo. Left foot, right foot, header - he is in perfect control of everything he does.

Football should and has to remain beautiful - entertainment, a celebration for everyone.

I try every day to become a better player - passing more to open the game - I try everything because you can always be better.

I had only one year in England and had not such a good time. Two times, I was out eight weeks with injuries.

I can play at full back on either side, but I prefer the central defensive position.

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

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

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.

When I'm warming up on the sidelines, I can often hear monkey chants. Me, who played so many matches for Germany.

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

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.

It's always fun to play against the best players. That's how you improve yourself.

You meet somebody on a bus or something, and they say, 'Thank you for the World Cup; it was so good to see,' and stuff like this - it's funny.

Messi and Ronaldo are the toughest. But I would also place Eden Hazard of Chelsea, Neymar of Barcelona, and Karim Benzema of Real Madrid on the list.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Fatherhood has changed my whole life.

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

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.

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 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.

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

Of course every manager has a different mentality, different philosophy.

When you fall down or slip in a situation, and somebody scores a goal, it's normal. These things happen. It happens to me; it happens to other players, I don't care about these things.

To get the title for your home country in another country like Brazil, the home of football - it was amazing.

The most important thing I learned during games is to be calmer, to try to smooth over other people's or my own mistakes, and not to tackle people unnecessarily. Patience was key for me.

Over the years, you get better at timing because you've been through the situations thousands of times. The ball goes over your head; he passes you on the right, left. Eventually, you just know what you have to do.

If I can understand criticism, I take it very seriously. But it's a process; it doesn't happen overnight.

It's really difficult for me to watch when I'm unable to play myself.

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.

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 like to watch the NBA.

When I got older, I wanted to have shoes that no one else had, so I started to choose different shoes; then it followed to my clothes.

I experienced everything at FC Bayern.

It is not about classical career questions but about questions for your life. Those are the questions that drive you on as a human being.

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

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

I have always liked wearing clothes that help me stand out quietly, not loudly.

Under Pep Guardiola, it's hard work. For me, Guardiola is one of the best coaches I've ever met. He's incredibly clever and tactically really good, and he knows how to speak to us, how to motivate us, and that's what it is like.

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