First game you watched live as a supporter?
I’m not sure about a live game, but I remember first really watching a lot of football during the 2002 [FIFA] World Cup, and that being when I really began to understand the game. It was when I was nine years old, and I remember watching Germany v Brazil in the final, which unfortunately we lost..
First football hero?
I will say Miroslav Klose. He was such a great striker - he had the mentality and quality, and could score with his head, left foot and right foot. He wasn’t that slow, either! He was an incredible all-round forward and a great person, too.
First football boots?
The first football boots I owned were black Nike Tiempos. Classics!
First kit?
It was Germany, of course. My parents bought me the green 1996 away kit, which was a real classic shirt.
First mentor in football?
I would say my Dad was my first mentor in football. He was my coach for our team as a youngster, and we were very successful. He was the one who put in the most work at TuS Ricklingen to help me achieve my dream of becoming a professional footballer.
First professional game?
It was against [Bayer] Leverkusen from the substitutes’ bench for Werder Bremen, in January 2012. My first start was against Augsburg a couple of months later, and I managed to score. My debut was such a special day for me as an 18-year-old in the Bundesliga.
First professional goal?
I scored for Werder Bremen on my first start, which came shortly after my debut, against Augsburg. It was a nice, long-range effort from around 25 yards into the bottom-right corner. It was very emotional.
First red card?
I’ve never had a red card in my career - and hopefully it stays that way!
