Germany's World Cup hero fighting for his future
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E-mail Xinhua, September 7, 2015
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| Germany's Mario Gotze (L) celebrates a goal during the extra time of the final match between Germany and Argentina of 2014 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio do Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 13, 2014. [Yang Lei/Xinhua] |
Goetze felt at home, a feeling he hasn't had so far in Munich. But now it seems as if Goetze is embracing the fight for a better future. It looks like as if Germany's World Cup hero realized that it takes more than a special goal to be a much-loved star and successful professional footballer. And that a goal like the one he scored on 13 July 2014 against Argentina, watched by the entire world, can also be a burden as expectations rise sky high. And that this once-in-a-lifetime goal might not be enough to retain his status as the people's hero for long.
A few days ago, Goetze and Bayern announced the forward will be staying put, and this despite him ignoring the advice of many telling him to move on. Loew has now given him a solid base to restart his career in Munich, with full support of the German national team knowing it might need the moments of brilliance especially when considering the fact that Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund) seems to be injury prone.
Reus was seen as being the man for the left flank so that Goetze could only hope to be given the central striking role, a job he has never learned nor been partial to. But at least it gives him playing time in the national team.
Still it seems Goetze has a long road ahead of him and it is far from certain that it will be crowned by success at his club and country. He however seems to be desperate to make a renewed attempt to become a hero again, knowing that only he himself can manage to leave his emotional depths.
The former Dortmund striker has decided to be more open. He has started to smile at press conferences and has realized that if he is to become accepted, he needs to do some public relations work as well as scoring goals.
Goetze, normally quiet and shy, is now talking and answering the questions put to him in greater depth. His new openness appears like a starting signal for a new era.
No question, Germany's World Cup hero has reached a turning point. Against Scotland on Monday, he has got the next chance to show he is determined to turn around his tricky situation. He is also well aware that he has to continue in the same vein when he returns to his club where there is a coach that so far does not seem to be convinced he needs a man whose main claim to fame was that he scored a special goal but one that has so far failed to show he is ready for life as a constant hero.
"It was a great feeling to score and to be needed in the national team," said Goetze. Maybe that's what he wants to feel and hear at Bayern Munich too. This season seems to be the last chance. If it does not work Goetze in 2016 could well be disappointed enough to join another club.
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