You spend a lot of time in the USA, particularly New York.
2 00:00:03,433 --> 00:00:07,366 What is about the US and their lifestyle, that you like so much?
Especially in New York they have different cultures.
I love to see the people on the street.
They are just a different vibe than in Europe.
I like how the people dress and the vibe in New York,
and of course my management is in New York.
So I feel very comfortable there.
How did the collaboration with Roc Nation start?
It was something that maybe surprised many people in the UK.
It started after the World Cup with my old management.
We flew over, we had a talk with the people from Roc Nation,
tried to figure out what we could do in the US and marketing area.
But now I'm now completely with Roc Nation for marketing and everything.
I'm really happy, it's a good connection.
I feel very comfortable with them and they take care of me.
We work good together.
Do you see much of Roc Nation's boss Jay-Z?
Sometimes. Yeah. You know how busy he is.
Not every week or every month,
but I just met him again and of course he's an icon.
It's always great to see him and talk to him
about whatever it is – music or sport.
Does he know much about soccer?
He knows a little bit,
it's not his first sport or favourite sport,
but he knows a little bit.
Jay-Z's favourite sport is basketball.
You're a big basketball fan yourself.
Yeah, for sure.
I've seen some posts with James Harden for example,
would you count him as a friend?
I met him there the first time,
but it was really nice to chat with him, he's a really cool guy.
I then saw him again in the US. We're cool.
Do you have any time to watch NBA matches while you're there?
I've been to a lot of games.
I've been to the playoff game 7 when Miami won against the Spurs.
I've been to Golden State, the Clippers, so yeah.
Harden has been picked for the All-Star game this year.
Have you seen the teams? Does it look like a good game to you?
I think it's an interesting game for sure.
Do you think it'll be Team Lebron or Team Steph?
It looks like Team Lebron is a little bit stronger, but you never know.
Golden State look particularly strong again this year,
do you think there is a team that can come close to stopping them?
It will be very difficult.
For me they play the best basketball, they move the ball very clever.
They have a good vibe in the team too I think.
That's what you see from the outside.
Everybody respects each other, that's a key point.
The Warriors have been regarded as a team with social conscience.
Do you pay attention to that side of US sports?
A little bit of course, when I have time.
I think they are team and they are very close to each other.
They respect each other.
The coach makes a good impression.
This is only what I can say from outside.
When I met the guys they were all very nice and cool.
We've seen you with Odell Beckham Jr from the NFL as well,
is he one of the players you admire in that sport?
For sure. His talent and his skills and his legs.
How quick he is, he is one of the best players.
Unlucky that he was injured now,
but he's a super cool guy and one of the best players.
You've been paying attention obviously to the Super Bowl season.
How do you see the Super Bowl going this year?
It's very interesting, they are two very strong teams.
I think a lot of fans of course don't want that the Patriots win it again.
Kind of boring.
But you have to give them credit, what they are doing is incredible.
They are there year after year,
do you think the Patriots are a bit like the Bayern of the NFL?
You can say so but like I said it's a different sport.
Usually you see every year different teams in the playoffs,
but they are there every year.
They are focussed and they are on point.
As a footballer, do you watch these other sports solely for pleasure?
Or is there something a fellow sportsman can learn
about the way these other games are played?
Of course I watch it for fun, but I also watch it to see:
"Oh this is a tactic". Then after the review sometimes you see:
"Oh that was interesting to see how that works in this sport".
Did you ever have a conversation with these other sportsmen about...
You're a World Champion, a European Champion...
Do they ask you for advice?
Well, not for advice.
But I did ask for example Kevin Durant how is his day looking,
how is the training, what they have to do and stuff like this.
They play every day nearly so it is different from our job.
The NFL this year has sort of been dominated by anthem protests.
Do you have any views on the whole Colin Kaepernick situation?
Yes of course I follow it.
It's a very interesting thing to watch and for me it's understandable.
It's a very big thing in the US,
while I live in Europe and it's not that big here.
But of course we follow it and I support this.
You've raised awareness of slavery in Libya and campaigned for anti-racism,
do you see this as an obligation for high profile athletes?
I think it's very important, it's very sad we still have this these days.
So we have to step up and to find solutions.
We've seen some European players join the NFL as kickers.
Clive Allen for example, who was a British striker.
Would that ever interest you? Join an NFL team as a kicker?
If I am good enough why not?
I think it's interesting to go in another sport.
But I have to see if I am good enough, if I can kick the ball far enough.
Well your pass last week for... Lewandowski was it?
Muller.
Yes well if you could do that on a football pitch...
Ok, then I'm in!
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