BERLIN: Germany coach Joachim Loew has said he regrets telling Mario Goetze to ‘show the world you’re better than (Lionel) Messi’ during the Brazil 2014 final as the midfielder has since struggled to live up to his billing as a World Cup winner. Goetze, 25, has been left out of the squad for 2018 World Cup, which kicks off on June 14 in Russia, after an erratic season with Borussia Dortmund. Loew says he feels partly responsible for the pressure the struggling Goetze has been under to prove he is still the player who won the World Cup for Germany nearly four years ago. Goetze, who was only 22 during the Brazil 2014 finals, wrote himself into World Cup folklore when his chest-and-volley goal in the 113th minute of the final won Germany the title. Superstar Lionel Messi had to settle for a runners-up medal with his Argentina team after losing 1-0 as Germany lifted the trophy.

Source: New Strait Times May 19, 2018 14:15 UTC