At Bayern, I was used to coming out of my box to try and clear up dangerous situations. The World Cup was just another platform, so it gave other people the chance to see me who don't watch German football.

In Germany, Jens Lehmann was a model style for a German goalkeeper.

I am a sportsman, not a brand ambassador, besides being the first goalkeeper of Adidas.

In my opinion, it is important to have a stable defence.

I feel fit and well - I know that I have to look after my health, but turning 30 is no reason to start considering the end of my career.

It's obvious you always have to give everything in order to succeed. That's why playing at 80 per cent isn't enough - not against a 'normal' Bundesliga team. You always have to work hard.

Winning the treble was confirmation for me that joining Bayern rather than moving abroad was the right decision.

I took responsibility in Munich from the beginning. But I could not walk in with splayed elbows into the club and say, 'Here comes the Schalke captain.'

I want to win lots of titles.

Bayern are a club where success is demanded, and second place isn't particularly appreciated. We have a history and culture to respect.

I love to compete with the very best. That's why I feel great at FC Bayern.

I have a lot of respect for Messi and for everything that he has achieved. He is very humble. But it's crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who's boss.

I love to tackle, especially when the grass is wet, but my main aim is to be a complete goalkeeper who can do everything.

The goalkeeper always starts again at nil, even when you're 2-0 down. It always starts again at scratch. It's a completely mental thing, and I keep reminding myself of it during matches.

I know that I often take risks, but it is always for the purposes of the team.

You have to feel comfortable - then you can perform better.

To be a modern goalkeeper, I have to think offensively, to initiate our attacking moves safely and securely.

Some young players think that they want to be like Manuel Neuer.

With Bayern, we want a lot of ball possession and to control the play, so I operate sometimes like the 11th outfield player. Thus I am included a lot into the build-up play and have a lot of touches of the ball.

It's a great thing to play a final in your capital city.

I am someone who takes a lot of time before making a decision and then has to be fully behind it.

The coach put me in goal, and back then, we were playing on bone-hard ground: red ash; we even trained on black ash, which was worse. That's not easy for a goalkeeper. My mother was always taking out her sewing kit for the countless holes in my training pants. For a long time, I had to buy my own gear.

As a goalkeeper, you like to be called upon.

I am very proud to be the captain of the German national team.