This Wednesday Werder Bremen’s cult celebrates striker Claudio Pizarro to his 40. Birthday. In a DW Interview, the striker talks about his still ongoing career, the most beautiful Moment – and the most bitter.
DW: Claudio Pizarro, with 40 years professional soccer player, is not that too old?
Claudio Pizarro: I feel good. I don’t know if better than five years ago, but I feel really good. My pre-season went very well. I only had a few small problems, which are now but were. And now I’m looking forward to my Chance. Those responsible at Werder brought me Yes obviously here because you think that I can help the club with my skills on the court. On the other, you will appreciate my experience. Do you think that I can support the young players and situations earlier than others recognize.
With 192 goals, you are one of the most successful foreign striker in Bundesliga history, ahead of Poland’s Robert Lewandowski, who has been taken 183 times. What have you made as yet for this season?
I want to keep the record, because Lewandowski is quickly approaching. So I want to shoot a few goals, so he has it harder. With the Team I want to create it, of course, an international competition, regardless of whether Champions League or Europa League.
Pizarro (R.) last weekend, when they play Werder Bremen in Stuttgart
If you look back on your long career: Who was the best player that you ever played together?
Ze Roberto.
The best striker?
Didier Drogba.
Which goalkeeper was on defeating the most difficult?
Manuel Neuer.
Who is the most stubborn defenders was?
This is a difficult question, because there were some. John Terry.
From which coach have you learned the most?
Oh, I can’t name just one. I had a lot of good coaches: Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho, Jupp Heynckes, Thomas Schaaf. Since it is super hard to lift out.
Who do you think is currently the best Bundesliga striker?
Robert Lewandowski.
You have won many titles. Stings one of them out for you?
Of course winning the Champions League. This is the most important title for every footballer in Europe. This title I wanted to win for so long already. It was [at the Start of the season 2012/2013 – note. the Red.] the Chance to return to Bayern, which had just lost the final against Chelsea. And I believed that it would work this year. When looking at the Team, I immediately said: to win the Champions League. Three, four new players were added. And from my first conversation with then-coach Jupp Heynckes of stuck with me: the goal of the Champions League victory. It was a special year, because we really have won every title we could win.
With a piece of goal net from Wembley after the victory in the Champions League final 2013
What was the most bitter Moment of your career?
To are not allowed for Peru to the world Cup driving.
How did it feel for you to be nominated?
Of course, this was a very difficult Situation. I could not change the fact that it had to accept just. Nothing else. And then the Team of outside support. After all, we had all been waiting for so long for this Moment and working towards – myself included, for example, in the case of four or five qualifier tournaments in which I have always given my Best. After 36 years, it was for my country is something Special, to be back at a world Cup.
Out to you before the Moment you hang the football shoes on the nail?
Not at all. For many years, I know that it will happen eventually. But still I feel to make me capable of more. I have also made our trainers to be clear. I didn’t come here to walk or just to have fun, without something to contribute. I’m here because I want to continue to play football. Because I think I can help on the court. And that is exactly what I want to do.
Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro, this Wednesday his 40. Birthday celebrates, holds several records: With 192 hits, he is the most successful foreign striker in Bundesliga history, with 450 League and the foreign professional to play with the most appearances, also a record goal scorer from Werder Bremen. His Bundesliga debut came on 28. In August 1999, the Bremen, where he is currently under contract. In addition, Pizarro played in the Bundesliga for FC Bayern, he won six German championship titles and five DFB Cup wins, and for the 1. FC Köln. With Werder he was the 2009 Cup winners ‘ Cup. In the 2007/2008 season Pizarro for Chelsea, and played. For Peru, he played games in 85 countries, in which he scored a total of 20 goals.
The Interview was conducted by Perez de la Cruz.