Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller: "The Champions League final defeat to Bayern Munich still hurts"
That Roman Weidenfeller's final game in Borussia Dortmund colours before retirement will be as his club try to secure a UEFA Champions League place at Hoffenheim is in some ways fitting: if they succeed, a new generation can next season attempt to heal some of the pain two-time Bundesliga winner Weidenfeller still feels from the 2013 European Cup final defeat to Bayern Munich at Wembley, even if the great goalkeeper himself won't be involved.
... his decision to retire:
bundesliga.com caught up with Weidenfeller, 37, prior to the Hoffenheim encounter; here's what he had to say about his career, THAT defeat at Wembley and why Dortmund's fans are the best in the world ...
"I had thoughts prior to the season of this possibly being my last, and those thoughts continued, so around Christmas I knew I wanted to retire. I've had a long career and have been a part of this amazing club for a long time, but it's time to call it a day and make way for the next generation. Personally, I want to focus more on my family life and am looking forward to that."
... his first steps as a goalkeeper:
"I started in goal back in the day with Sportfreunde Eisbachtal, but that was sometimes too boring so I became a striker! I thought if it was too boring then it wasn't the job for me. I always wanted a challenge and wanted to score goals when I first started. Back then, you'd often get five Deutschmark for scoring the winner; because I was a goalkeeper I couldn't do that, and so my wallet was always empty!"
... the Borussia Dortmund fans:
"The fans and the stadium are probably the best in Germany, so for me there was never a question of leaving the club even at times when things weren't going so well personally, like when I was dropped. I always knew what I had with the club and the fans, and how important football here is."
... his career:
"I'm hugely thankful. It's been a major privilege to have this job, to feel such emotion and receive the appreciation from the people. It's a dream job. Turning my hobby into a job is what I always wanted, and I've been able to do that for such a long time. There's nothing better than that. It's just been great."
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