Eight years after Brazil 2014, Gotze explained what would have to have happened for that final to be perfect

Shortly after completion eight years after the remembered 2014 World Cup final between Argentina and Germany (one month and one week), the main protagonist of that match, Mario Gotzespoke about the goal at 113 minutes that made his team the world champion on Brazilian soil.

a bit that marked him for life and by which his name is kept in the memory of most football fans. Back then, at the age of 22, the Bayern Munich player entered the history books. Nevertheless since 2017 he has not been part of the plans of the German team again.

He spoke about these issues in an interview with the French newspaper The Teamin which he acknowledged that they are still talking to him about that historic moment: “People tell me when they pass me on the street, they tell me how they experienced that final. It’s very nice, they not only want to hear my memories, but share their feelings with me. And sometimes I have to pinch myself to say that it’s already been eight years.”

“There always comes a time when someone talks to me about it,” Gotze acknowledged about that goal at the Maracana. “Everyone constantly reminds me of that wonderful moment. The only person who has never asked me about it is my son. I look forward to seeing him with him for the first time. He will still take a little time, he is only a year and a half old,” he added.

At the same time, the hero of the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil explained that it was “the most special game we could play. In Brazil, the country of football and against Argentina… That combination was gigantic”.

“If I could rewrite history, I’d say maybe playing that game at 35 years old, scoring that goal and retiring afterwards… that obviously would have been perfect. But this possibility of being the top scorer in the World Cup final is crazy. I think it was a great trip and a great experience, there was nothing negative, ”he assured.

However, despite his young age, for the next World Cup he was no longer going to be part of the delegation that traveled to Russia. midfielder he played his last game for Germany in November 2017 (more precisely on the 14th of that month in a friendly against France).

The physicist began to take its toll on him and his career began to stall as a result of a number of metabolic disorders which forced him to stop for several months.

“This disease played an important role, especially in understanding what was good or bad for my body,” said the German, adding: “For me, it was a sign that I had asked too much of my body, that I had also trained too much. For a while I didn’t let my body breathe, I treated it like a robot. But I didn’t realize that until it was too late.”

Now, at the age of 30 and playing for PSV Eindhoven in the Dutch league, the footballer reviewed his career from that goal until today: “When I was young I had other plans. We always worry about the ten or fifteen years: playing in two, three top clubs, winning the Champions League, always being international. Now I don’t plan anything, I just enjoy the moment.”

“I started very early, at 17, and I’m still playing. For thirteen years, I have participated every year in a European Cup. Perhaps I would have had more titles if I had gone to Liverpool when Jürgen Klopp wanted me (in 2016). It would also be exciting to go back to Munich and explain to them why we should continue together. But no one knows how my life would have turned out. I am not someone who lives in the past. Of course, winning a Champions League would have made my career shine even more. But this is not an obligation. If that doesn’t happen, everything will be fine,” he considered.

Finally, he reflected on the demanding physical load that soccer players have today: “We should really try to have a month or two where nothing happens, so everyone can take a break. Rest is also good. We see it in other sports, especially in the United States. The NFL (American football) has a four-month season. In basketball, the offseason lasts four months. It should be possible to do this in Europe.”

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