The CR7 Post - Mesut Is Interviewed About Portugal By Kicker & Shares Thoughts On CR7 In WeltOnline!
Originally posted by jenny_jenkins at The CR7 Post - Mesut Is Interviewed About Portugal By Kicker & Shares Thoughts On CR7 In WeltOnline!
The CR7 Post - Mesut Ozil Is Interviewed About Portugal By Kicker &
Shares Thoughts On CR7 In Welt Online!
Germany will play Portugal in two days in their opening game and a great deal of interest has naturally been expressed on the game and on CR7 in particular in the German press. And true to his father's promise of much more Mesut exposure from now on, Mesut has been in the spotlight on this subject as the German National team's resident Cristiano Ronaldo expert.
Mesut was in high demand this week
The first part of this post comprises a description Mesut "wrote" about Cristiano Ronaldo that is part of a longer piece on the player. The newspaper seems to have interviewed him on the subject and to have amalgamated all his answers into straight prose rather than as a question and answer. This makes it far more fluid.
The second part of this post is Mesut's featured interview (quite short) in Kicker magazine of just this morning. He is their "Interview of the Week" this week and he is asked to explain specifically about the meeting with Portugal.
As A Friend He's Just Cool
Mesut Özil
WELT AM SONNTAG
June 3, 2012
For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary person in every way. Upon my arrival almost two years ago in Madrid I felt that he took very great care over me. This was not superficial help: with all new players who arrive he takes it to heart to help them to integrate. Already at the time he was the football player who had broken the transfer record for most expensive player, but he was not a loner and always helped the team. He cares about the team as a whole. I was a little surprised by this at first because he is a footballer who is celebrated like none other and who is surrounded by incredible amounts of attention. Today I know that he's simply a nice guy.
I've played now for two years on the same team with Cristiano. We've passed a lot of time together over this period, mainly in training and during our travels. As an athlete he's very ambitious; even in practice he wants to win every game. And he does a great deal to earn success: he stays after training sessions are over to practice free kicks or penalties and to build his confidence. Although a great deal is written about his private life I can say with absolute conviction that he is an absolute professional who is strongly fixated on the sport and invests a great deal of time in his personal fitness.
As a guy he's just very cool. We don't do as much off the pitch together for a few reasons. First we are together all the time when we travel with Real Madrid, and when we return he spends his time with his family. In my spare time I see more of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira. But it's always fun to be with Cristiano - before or after training. We always laugh together a lot. And just before the European Championships started we told a lot of jokes together with the Portuguese players and Sami Khedira too, of course.
What most impresses me about Cristiano Ronaldo is how down-to-earth he is. This is no joke, even if many people wouldn't think of that description first. Public perception and things that are reported are different. Despite his success he is always helpful, polite and courteous. Just a nice guy. I do not begrudge him any victory - except on June 9, of course...
END
Today's Kicker Interview: "Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Cool Guy"
Kicker's photograph from this morning's issue of the magazine.
KICKER MAGAZINE - June 7, 2012
Interview by OLIVER HARTMANN
Love to reader José for sending the magazine.
Oliver Bierhoff thinks that as the start of the tournament approaches the nervousness starts to increase. How are you coping with the pressure Mr Özil?
Generally I don't feel pressure. When I stand on the pitch then I am happy, because I enjoy playing football. Football is my life, it always has been. And when you play for Germany or for Real Madrid then the expectations are very big. You always have to win a title.
You have said that to come second would be a disappointment. Is that not a dangerous pronouncement?
No, I don't think so. We didn't come here to travel home after the first round or to fall short in the semi-finals. We have come to win the title. But the only thing that matters for the moment is the game against Portugal.
With what sorts of emotions are you approaching the start of the tournament?
I am happy that it's finally starting. We trained well and feel well prepared. I have a good feeling about it.
What do you base that on?
Every player has shown himself to be goal-oriented and ambitious in the preparation. In the practice games everyone wanted to win. That is a good basis.
In what ways is the national team stronger than it was two years ago?
Many players have become more mature since 2010. The Bayern-players, the Dortmunders, Sami Khedira, or even me. And we have self-confidence because we've shown in the past year that we can dominate games.
What's going to happen against Portugal?
In general we look to ourselves. If we can summon up what we are capable of and play our game then I think that we will win the game, because I am convinced that we have a very strong team. But we have to be vigilant too. At the Euros every player will want to distinguish himself and everyone will give 200% against Germany. We have to show from the beginning that we are determined to win the game.
Is the key to this stopping Cristiano Ronaldo?
Naturally he's a world-class player, but football is a team sport. We are not playing against Cristiano Ronaldo but against Portugal. The Portuguese are a strong team. Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo I know two further players from Real Madrid who are very strong players.
You mean Pepe and Fabio Coentrao. What characteristics distinguish them?
Pepe is a world-class defensive player. He wants to win every one-on-one challenge. Coentrao is technically strong and fast. He sends in good corner kicks. We have to watch out against the Portuguese. We must not underestimate them.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo really so arrogant as he seems sometimes?
Absolutely not. He's a cool guy and absolutely not stuck-up. When I arrived at Real Madrid he was one of the ones who helped me the most. That was a small surprise, because he has such a big name.
Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview with us that Germany is the favourite; so Portugal can enjoy themselves.
(Özil smiles): I think that as a team we can be comfortable with the idea of being co-favourites. One must not forget the others though. Spain, France, Holland and, and, and...But also not Portugal. It is unbelievably important for the tournament that we start well.
What predominates when you think of your season with Real Madrid: happiness over the Spanish championship or frustration about being out of the Champions League after the semi-final against Bayern?
I was disappointed, but the most emotional was the championship; my first league championship with the club in my career.
Was it your best season?
I don't think so. My first season at Real was similarly good.
How have these two years at Real Madrid changed the personality of Mesut Özil?
These two years have done me a lot of good. I learned a new language, a new culture and the cosmopolitan city of Madrid. I was able to develop myself and become more mature. Not everyone takes this step, and certainly not at 21. I'm proud that I am standing on my own two feet.
Many thanks to reader Jose for sending the download of Kicker magazine to me. Thank you very much!
______________________________________________________________________________
.
The CR7 Post - Mesut Ozil Is Interviewed About Portugal By Kicker &
Shares Thoughts On CR7 In Welt Online!
Germany will play Portugal in two days in their opening game and a great deal of interest has naturally been expressed on the game and on CR7 in particular in the German press. And true to his father's promise of much more Mesut exposure from now on, Mesut has been in the spotlight on this subject as the German National team's resident Cristiano Ronaldo expert.
Mesut was in high demand this week
The first part of this post comprises a description Mesut "wrote" about Cristiano Ronaldo that is part of a longer piece on the player. The newspaper seems to have interviewed him on the subject and to have amalgamated all his answers into straight prose rather than as a question and answer. This makes it far more fluid.
The second part of this post is Mesut's featured interview (quite short) in Kicker magazine of just this morning. He is their "Interview of the Week" this week and he is asked to explain specifically about the meeting with Portugal.
As A Friend He's Just Cool
Mesut Özil
WELT AM SONNTAG
June 3, 2012
For me, Cristiano Ronaldo is an extraordinary person in every way. Upon my arrival almost two years ago in Madrid I felt that he took very great care over me. This was not superficial help: with all new players who arrive he takes it to heart to help them to integrate. Already at the time he was the football player who had broken the transfer record for most expensive player, but he was not a loner and always helped the team. He cares about the team as a whole. I was a little surprised by this at first because he is a footballer who is celebrated like none other and who is surrounded by incredible amounts of attention. Today I know that he's simply a nice guy.
I've played now for two years on the same team with Cristiano. We've passed a lot of time together over this period, mainly in training and during our travels. As an athlete he's very ambitious; even in practice he wants to win every game. And he does a great deal to earn success: he stays after training sessions are over to practice free kicks or penalties and to build his confidence. Although a great deal is written about his private life I can say with absolute conviction that he is an absolute professional who is strongly fixated on the sport and invests a great deal of time in his personal fitness.
As a guy he's just very cool. We don't do as much off the pitch together for a few reasons. First we are together all the time when we travel with Real Madrid, and when we return he spends his time with his family. In my spare time I see more of Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira. But it's always fun to be with Cristiano - before or after training. We always laugh together a lot. And just before the European Championships started we told a lot of jokes together with the Portuguese players and Sami Khedira too, of course.
What most impresses me about Cristiano Ronaldo is how down-to-earth he is. This is no joke, even if many people wouldn't think of that description first. Public perception and things that are reported are different. Despite his success he is always helpful, polite and courteous. Just a nice guy. I do not begrudge him any victory - except on June 9, of course...
END
Today's Kicker Interview: "Cristiano Ronaldo Is A Cool Guy"
Kicker's photograph from this morning's issue of the magazine.
KICKER MAGAZINE - June 7, 2012
Interview by OLIVER HARTMANN
Love to reader José for sending the magazine.
Oliver Bierhoff thinks that as the start of the tournament approaches the nervousness starts to increase. How are you coping with the pressure Mr Özil?
Generally I don't feel pressure. When I stand on the pitch then I am happy, because I enjoy playing football. Football is my life, it always has been. And when you play for Germany or for Real Madrid then the expectations are very big. You always have to win a title.
You have said that to come second would be a disappointment. Is that not a dangerous pronouncement?
No, I don't think so. We didn't come here to travel home after the first round or to fall short in the semi-finals. We have come to win the title. But the only thing that matters for the moment is the game against Portugal.
With what sorts of emotions are you approaching the start of the tournament?
I am happy that it's finally starting. We trained well and feel well prepared. I have a good feeling about it.
What do you base that on?
Every player has shown himself to be goal-oriented and ambitious in the preparation. In the practice games everyone wanted to win. That is a good basis.
In what ways is the national team stronger than it was two years ago?
Many players have become more mature since 2010. The Bayern-players, the Dortmunders, Sami Khedira, or even me. And we have self-confidence because we've shown in the past year that we can dominate games.
What's going to happen against Portugal?
In general we look to ourselves. If we can summon up what we are capable of and play our game then I think that we will win the game, because I am convinced that we have a very strong team. But we have to be vigilant too. At the Euros every player will want to distinguish himself and everyone will give 200% against Germany. We have to show from the beginning that we are determined to win the game.
Is the key to this stopping Cristiano Ronaldo?
Naturally he's a world-class player, but football is a team sport. We are not playing against Cristiano Ronaldo but against Portugal. The Portuguese are a strong team. Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo I know two further players from Real Madrid who are very strong players.
You mean Pepe and Fabio Coentrao. What characteristics distinguish them?
Pepe is a world-class defensive player. He wants to win every one-on-one challenge. Coentrao is technically strong and fast. He sends in good corner kicks. We have to watch out against the Portuguese. We must not underestimate them.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo really so arrogant as he seems sometimes?
Absolutely not. He's a cool guy and absolutely not stuck-up. When I arrived at Real Madrid he was one of the ones who helped me the most. That was a small surprise, because he has such a big name.
Cristiano Ronaldo said in an interview with us that Germany is the favourite; so Portugal can enjoy themselves.
(Özil smiles): I think that as a team we can be comfortable with the idea of being co-favourites. One must not forget the others though. Spain, France, Holland and, and, and...But also not Portugal. It is unbelievably important for the tournament that we start well.
What predominates when you think of your season with Real Madrid: happiness over the Spanish championship or frustration about being out of the Champions League after the semi-final against Bayern?
I was disappointed, but the most emotional was the championship; my first league championship with the club in my career.
Was it your best season?
I don't think so. My first season at Real was similarly good.
How have these two years at Real Madrid changed the personality of Mesut Özil?
These two years have done me a lot of good. I learned a new language, a new culture and the cosmopolitan city of Madrid. I was able to develop myself and become more mature. Not everyone takes this step, and certainly not at 21. I'm proud that I am standing on my own two feet.
Many thanks to reader Jose for sending the download of Kicker magazine to me. Thank you very much!
______________________________________________________________________________
.