I have three goalkeepers who really inspired me. Jens Lehmann was my idol because he played for Schalke and was really progressive in the way he developed the position in Germany. I also have a lot of respect for all that Oliver Kahn achieved with the national team. Outside Germany, I would add that Edwin van der Sar was a big role model.

I do not like the red carpet; I prefer the green pitch.

After matches, the highlights show mostly the goals, scoring chances, assists. The spectator tends not to remember that, as a goalkeeper, I make difficult saves at great risk and start moves with my efforts.

Food is a passion for me, especially Italian cuisine. I prefer to have somebody cook for me, but I can do some very nice pasta dishes.

You can plan, but what happens on a football field cannot be predicted.

I'm not the sort of person who poses in their underwear.

I used to cry when I let in a goal. I always thought I was to blame because I was the last man.

On the pitch, I conduct and organise. I'm loud.

Nervenstarke means that no matter the situation, I have to show my teammates that I remain prepared and confident and there for them. They have to feel my Nervenstarke.

The calmness and confidence I take into matches has an effect not only on our rivals but also on my team-mates, who are counting on me.

The team is the star at Manchester United.

I think at the age of 30, you still have youthful aspects, but at the same time, you have gathered enough experience to know how to succeed in life. I like this mixture.

I'm the 11th field player.

I am convinced by my style of play, so I take risks without much hesitation.

I am very proud to be the captain of the German national team.

As a goalkeeper, you like to be called upon.

The coach put me in goal, and back then, we were playing on bone-hard ground: red ash; we even trained on black ash, which was worse. That's not easy for a goalkeeper. My mother was always taking out her sewing kit for the countless holes in my training pants. For a long time, I had to buy my own gear.

I am someone who takes a lot of time before making a decision and then has to be fully behind it.

It's a great thing to play a final in your capital city.

With Bayern, we want a lot of ball possession and to control the play, so I operate sometimes like the 11th outfield player. Thus I am included a lot into the build-up play and have a lot of touches of the ball.

Some young players think that they want to be like Manuel Neuer.

To be a modern goalkeeper, I have to think offensively, to initiate our attacking moves safely and securely.

You have to feel comfortable - then you can perform better.

I know that I often take risks, but it is always for the purposes of the team.

The goalkeeper always starts again at nil, even when you're 2-0 down. It always starts again at scratch. It's a completely mental thing, and I keep reminding myself of it during matches.

I love to tackle, especially when the grass is wet, but my main aim is to be a complete goalkeeper who can do everything.

I have a lot of respect for Messi and for everything that he has achieved. He is very humble. But it's crucial to show authority when we meet on the pitch and show him who's boss.

I love to compete with the very best. That's why I feel great at FC Bayern.

Bayern are a club where success is demanded, and second place isn't particularly appreciated. We have a history and culture to respect.

I want to win lots of titles.

I took responsibility in Munich from the beginning. But I could not walk in with splayed elbows into the club and say, 'Here comes the Schalke captain.'

Winning the treble was confirmation for me that joining Bayern rather than moving abroad was the right decision.

It's obvious you always have to give everything in order to succeed. That's why playing at 80 per cent isn't enough - not against a 'normal' Bundesliga team. You always have to work hard.

I feel fit and well - I know that I have to look after my health, but turning 30 is no reason to start considering the end of my career.

In my opinion, it is important to have a stable defence.

I am a sportsman, not a brand ambassador, besides being the first goalkeeper of Adidas.

In Germany, Jens Lehmann was a model style for a German goalkeeper.

At Bayern, I was used to coming out of my box to try and clear up dangerous situations. The World Cup was just another platform, so it gave other people the chance to see me who don't watch German football.

In the past, goalies weren't even part of the team. They had their own dressing room. They didn't speak with the other team members. They were lone warriors.

Many things are necessary if you want to win games.

Obviously, I couldn't imagine that my career would go so well. When I first started, I wanted to play out of goal. But there was no goalkeeper, and the coach put me in goal.

It's obviously very tough for any team to lose on penalties.

I am a professional player, and I will naturally do everything to be in goal.

Before important games, I don't change my preparation.

First of all, I am and I remain a goalkeeper, but I try to be involved as much as I can and to help the defenders. I try to read dangerous situations in advance.

For me, the Bundesliga is a great league.

In Germany, the football association is the best.

I always want to play at the highest level; that's the Champions League.

It's difficult to say you can replace Franck Ribery one on one with another player.

Every player has different skills.