“My father said, 'You're not going to make it.' That took a lot of pres...” — Per Mertesacker Quote

My father said, 'You're not going to make it.' That took a lot of pressure from me. I took football like a hobby.

I think it is so beneficial to English and British football when youngsters see different cultures and environments.

Sometimes as a player you have a different view and you can't believe what we did as a defensive unit.

I was with Bremen in a good situation in the Bundesliga. I was the captain and was involved in everything to do with the club.

No matter how much striking power you have got, you need to have a sense of defensive compactness from everyone.

At the end of the day, we love playing football, so that is the main thing. I am doing something that I really love to do. It is a job, but it is a hobby as well.

I've always done magic as a hobby. I've done it professionally, too.

Painting is just a hobby. I really don't think of it much more than that. But writing music and writing words... my life would feel as if it had a big hole if I took those away.

Eating is my main hobby now, and most of what I do on the weekend revolves around that.

I just like to eat, buy food, eat food. Eating is my hobby.