Per Mertesacker believes that he’s made the most of limited talent.
Arsenal central defender Per Mertesacker has admitted that he is fortunate to have achieved as much in the game that he has, report the Daily Star, with the German having made the most of limited talent that may not ordinarily have allowed him to make it at the highest level of the game.
SEE MORE:
Manchester City star lined up as Gerrard replacement
Chelsea’s phenomenal XI with Messi and Suarez
Despite being an intelligent and dominant central defender, Mertesacker can also look awkward and is not particularly gifted on the ball, and the former Werder Bremen man has admitted that he initially only pursued football as a hobby rather than with the determination to become an international star:
“I was not the big talent, so I kept football as a hobby,” he said.
“The motivation was always to be fit and involved in a team, and not more – not to be a professional one day, not to be that keen on doing well every day.”
“It was more fun for me, and that was good for me. It kept me grounded and very quiet.”
“I took it as a hobby but I kept the belief inside me subconsciously and that was the key. No one went crazy when there was a defeat, no one went crazy when they said maybe I wasn’t good enough and went to the second team.”
“That was very good for me. I stayed quiet and waited for the right moment, when I was 17 or 18.”
“It’s all about opportunities and a bit of luck. It went so well for me.”
“I needed a few injuries to some senior players to get to my first pre-season in the first team, and then some game time that was broadcasted on television. I did well then.”
“You have to take that opportunity. It’s not only to get that, it’s to take it as well and perform solidly.”
“That’s the key at that stage. I told myself it was now or never and I decided to take [the chance]. I could never predict that so many highlights would follow.”
COMMENTS