PHILIPP LAHM

An openly gay footballer would be exposed to abusive comments.

Those who have achieved success in football have a degree of responsibility to be open and honest about our 'calling,' our passion.

Anybody who has played with Mesut will tell you how intelligent he is as a player. His vision is probably the best I have ever seen and that is why it is so important to have the right striker ahead of him.

Klinsmann was the shining hero of the 2006 World Cup when Bayern took him on.

Except for two years in Stuttgart, I have always worn the FCB jersey.

The title I most want is the 2014 World Cup.

Every Bundesliga match is a new challenge, our opponents don't make it easy for us.

The most important thing is that we play as a team. It means to attack together but to defend together as well.

We practically only practiced fitness under Klinsmann, there was very little technical instruction and the players themselves discussed the way they would play a game before the match.

I spend too much time sitting in an office. So I need to play sports on a regular basis, that's why I play golf and tennis.

Always being champion, always being at the top every three days, playing great football - it's not that easy.

We know South Americans are impulsive and temperamental and cannot lose.

I think that it is advantageous to join Bayern Munich at a young age.

Winning the Bundesliga is never a given.

Maybe modern tactics mean that making the switch from defence to midfield is easier. Many years ago, full backs were more limited - you were just supposed to defend, and it didn't matter if you could get forward too.

I played at full-back for 10 years, I enjoyed it, and I had success there, so I can never regret being a defender.

Sporting behaviour means fair behaviour. This is the player's task, not the referee's.

If you want to measure yourself with Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester United, you, as Bayern Munich, need a philosophy. That must be the aim of the club.

Things can happen very quickly in football.

As a young footballer I used to look up to a number of stars for inspiration and I understand what Bhaichung must have done for all young Indians aspiring to be footballer.

The key is developing your game in both directions: in the build-up, joining the attack at the right moment and also in defence. You have to win the one-on-one situations and need the required pace and technique. These are the decisive factors for a defender.

In a World Cup you always intend to compete with the best.

In football, surprises are always possible.

Clubs like Manchester United or Barcelona have a system, and then you hire personnel who fit this system.

My first club was FT Gern. I joined through my parents and friends. My father played for them and a friend from nursery school took me to training once. I was five at the time.