Per Mertesacker Quotes

I'm an attacker, and forwards always want to score.

I do like to play and pass the ball. But first and foremost I see myself as a defender: blocking, tackling, heading.

There are strikers all over the world who wouldn't get the goals if they didn't have a creative midfielder or someone that enjoys making assists.

I love watching Messi with the ball at his feet. He scores goals and everything else.

I've played against Messi a lot of times, and I've already conceded goals through my legs with him.

My favourite position is as midfielder, playing with Xabi and Khedira.

I'm an attacking midfielder.

I don't take the ball in the middle of the pitch and dribble past six guys.

I've always been a player on the move. It's not because I like running. I like getting the ball.

When you watch Barcelona play you want to see Lionel Messi score two goals. If he hasn't after 80 minutes you can perhaps get restless.

I used to say I preferred midfield because I enjoy trying to make goals, and scoring is a buzz.

Messi has the best technique in the world.

Football is not about suffering. It's about enjoyment. Control the ball, be friendly with it, try to attack, try to score goals. Of course defending is part of it, but you can defend in a lot of ways.

I've got a defensive responsibility as well as trying to get goals and assists. I'm trying to do that.

I can win the ball. I can clear the ball.

I'm an attacking full-back.

I'm working on my final ball, my precision in front of goal, my one-on-one attacking ability, just new ways to beat defenders and help my team.

When I first began playing football, I was a striker.

As a defender I try to keep clean sheets.

Messi is one of the best strikers in the world, one of the very best players.

I can honestly tell you that playing against Messi is very difficult.

Messi is the best in the world, even when he is defending.

I can mark Messi only in my dreams.

I genuinely enjoy watching the full-back run up the pitch and going across to fill in.

Considering Messi's quality and everything he represents, I don't think I've seen him playing with a guy following him around the pitch the entire time with the sole purpose of not letting him play.