Per Mertesacker Quotes

Going back to your country and playing for a big team and being able to enjoy playing La Liga would be a good thing for my career.

If one day I start thinking about playing abroad, money won't be the reason.

A lot of people would like to see me in England. This is not necessarily the league that attracts me the most, though. It would allow me to develop further, though.

Playing in Europe is a big deal, it helps you to grow.

I joined a big club like Monaco and it was extraordinary for my growth as a player. That gave me the chance to break into the national squad, win the 1998 World Cup, the EURO in 2000, and make the leap to Italian football.

As a youth player, I played for England and got used to it, and I have just to carry it on to the bigger stage.

Every person wants to stretch himself and widen his audience. Since Hollywood has got more exposure and is shown all over the world, it's obvious that every actor would want to do an English film and explore himself.

I hope to get my name out there more in the Spanish-language business side of the world.

I was gifted with the ball, and I saw the opportunity of playing in the Bundesliga as the tool I needed to make a name for myself.

To play for Barcelona will help me show my best qualities to the world.

With what I have learned in Italy, if I have the chance to learn something more in England I think it would make me a more complete, better player.

The key about playing internationally is the confidence that you gain. Not only do you train with some of the best players in the NBA, but you compete against some of the best players in the world.

I almost took a job in Italy. It was really a great opportunity, but they didn't think I had enough international experience.

Borussia Dortmund was the best solution for me. I wanted to have an experience abroad and in the Champions League. Then there are the fans - it was said they always supported the team, but I didn't think like this.

I thank my dad for the JBA Experience and playing overseas.

I did almost take a job in China because I thought it might be good for me to go abroad and experience what I think the best coaches in the Premier League have had. It helps you learn. You have to evolve.

You look at someone like Jadon Sancho, he took the chance of going abroad to get more game time and now he's possibly up there with the top players, wingers, in the world.

I wouldn't have any fears about coming to England because I have played against English sides in the Champions League and studied the English game.

English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish football gains so much from being in Europe. Clubs and fans all benefit from European action, laws and funding.

After my debut as a pro for Groningen, I was at Eindhoven for two years.

I remember how I, too, was part of the Azlan Shah tournament for the first time in 2005. After that, I went to the Junior World Cup. I remember how much I benefited from the exposure.

If I play well for Holland, I am sure that I will have my chance for Milan.

I wanted to show that Asian players could make it in Europe. But it was far more important for me just to become a better player. That is why I came to Europe from Asia.

I have always been an advocate of players and coaches going abroad if that's the right opportunity.

I am still young and being the [England] squad is really good for me although I've still got a lot to learn.