Kevin Großkreutz has had to deal with a bit of mischief making in his time. Perhaps more than others, perhaps less. One of the biggest follies doing the rounds surrounds his involvement at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Many people fail to appreciate that football is a team sport and that there is more to the game than just the 11 players who take to the field.
The stories of the biggest teams in the world aren’t just written on the pitch. The World Cup winning squad of 2014 can testify to this. Großkreutz knows exactly what he achieved, but also what other think of him, although he doesn’t let it concern him in the slightest. He was there; he knows what went on in Brazil. In an interview with Sport Bild he said: “We were with the team for six weeks, gave it our all in training and contributed to the atmosphere. Everyone who was there won the World Cup. There’s no such thing as a partial world champion.”
Twelve months between heaven and hell
Großkreutz’s last 12 months have been tempestuous. Following Brazil, he was brought back to earth with a bump. He was part of the best international team in the world, but he was playing for a Borussia Dortmund side languishing in 17th place in the Bundesliga. His personal situation this season mirrored the performance of his team. Großkreutz hasn’t always completed the 90 minutes; his performances haven’t always lived up to the expectations of a first team regular this season. Großkreutz has mused over the season so far and thought long and hard about the campaign. He is critical of himself and knows that he has performed better previously.
He looked for reasons to explain the situation but has now decided that the time for soul-searching has to end. Times may have been negative, but he has been able to see the positives. There’s at least one: The Germany international has discovered who his real friends are. He said: “When things are going well, everyone backs the Dortmund players. When things go badly, things suddenly go the other way. I’ve noticed that some of the adulation has gone missing.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger as his personal advisor
The others are the ones that he can rely on and many players from the World Cup winning team belong to that group. Lukas Podolski, for example, but the current captain in particular. In Brazil, a friendship developed between Großkreutz and Bastian Schweinsteiger, as the Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund players realised that they are both very similar. After the World Cup, the two showed their friendship by teasing each other on Facebook and have discussed topics without having to deal with any publicity. When things weren’t going well, Schweinsteiger was there for Großkreutz. This description gives us an insight into their friendship: “He said that he once went through such patches and that he came out of them,” said Großkreutz. And what else did Schweinsteiger say? “That I should believe in myself more and that he knows what I can do.”
During the winter break, all doubts were forgotten about. Grosskreutz knows both what he can do and what Dortmund are capable of. His mind is clear and he gives answers as plain as they can be. Two examples: Is it conceivable for you that Dortmund could go down? “No.” Would you follow Dortmund into the second division? “Yes.” His feelings for the club are real and he won’t let anything take them away just because some consider it inappropriate. He likes his club and he still holds the following ode to Dortmund deep in his soul. “An amazing club with amazing fans, an amazing stadium and a lot of tradition,” said Großkreutz and finished with these words: “I love this club and that will always be true.”
Kevin Großkreutz has had to deal with a bit of mischief making in his time. Perhaps more than others, perhaps less. One of the biggest follies doing the rounds surrounds his involvement at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Many people fail to appreciate that football is a team sport and that there is more to the game than just the 11 players who take to the field.
The stories of the biggest teams in the world aren’t just written on the pitch. The World Cup winning squad of 2014 can testify to this. Großkreutz knows exactly what he achieved, but also what other think of him, although he doesn’t let it concern him in the slightest. He was there; he knows what went on in Brazil. In an interview with Sport Bild he said: “We were with the team for six weeks, gave it our all in training and contributed to the atmosphere. Everyone who was there won the World Cup. There’s no such thing as a partial world champion.”
Twelve months between heaven and hell
Großkreutz’s last 12 months have been tempestuous. Following Brazil, he was brought back to earth with a bump. He was part of the best international team in the world, but he was playing for a Borussia Dortmund side languishing in 17th place in the Bundesliga. His personal situation this season mirrored the performance of his team. Großkreutz hasn’t always completed the 90 minutes; his performances haven’t always lived up to the expectations of a first team regular this season. Großkreutz has mused over the season so far and thought long and hard about the campaign. He is critical of himself and knows that he has performed better previously.
He looked for reasons to explain the situation but has now decided that the time for soul-searching has to end. Times may have been negative, but he has been able to see the positives. There’s at least one: The Germany international has discovered who his real friends are. He said: “When things are going well, everyone backs the Dortmund players. When things go badly, things suddenly go the other way. I’ve noticed that some of the adulation has gone missing.”
Bastian Schweinsteiger as his personal advisor
The others are the ones that he can rely on and many players from the World Cup winning team belong to that group. Lukas Podolski, for example, but the current captain in particular. In Brazil, a friendship developed between Großkreutz and Bastian Schweinsteiger, as the Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund players realised that they are both very similar. After the World Cup, the two showed their friendship by teasing each other on Facebook and have discussed topics without having to deal with any publicity. When things weren’t going well, Schweinsteiger was there for Großkreutz. This description gives us an insight into their friendship: “He said that he once went through such patches and that he came out of them,” said Großkreutz. And what else did Schweinsteiger say? “That I should believe in myself more and that he knows what I can do.”
During the winter break, all doubts were forgotten about. Grosskreutz knows both what he can do and what Dortmund are capable of. His mind is clear and he gives answers as plain as they can be. Two examples: Is it conceivable for you that Dortmund could go down? “No.” Would you follow Dortmund into the second division? “Yes.” His feelings for the club are real and he won’t let anything take them away just because some consider it inappropriate. He likes his club and he still holds the following ode to Dortmund deep in his soul. “An amazing club with amazing fans, an amazing stadium and a lot of tradition,” said Großkreutz and finished with these words: “I love this club and that will always be true.”
