By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Marco Reus, the 29-year-old German striker playing for Dortmund, admitted that his body might not stand for 60 games per season on full speed, but he refused to bury his head in the sand.
In a recent interview, Reus told Xinhua that it took painful years to learn an important lesson. "I have learned to accept my body's needs. And my body might not be made for 60 games per season on full speed."
Having accepted this helped Reus reach his assumedly best shape after having missed two essential tournaments with the German national team such as the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and the 2016 European Championships in France due to injury.
Currently, the 29-year-old is seen as the best German performer in the Bundesliga and is Dortmund's unrestricted leader having a valid contract valid until 2023. The blond attacker plays a vital role in the rejuvenation plans of German national coach Joachim Loew.
"I have found a suitable way to deal with the loads of exercise and inevitable breaks," he commented adding his body is demanding constant "recovery breaks as my favorite position directly behind the front line demands intensive sprinting efforts."
Reus called it without an alternative to take breaks to reach the best shape and win titles. He said he is ready to win trophies with his club in Dortmund and is aiming to create new success for the struggling German national team at the 2020 European Championships.
"The 2020 tournament is what is in my mind as I will be over 33 at kick-off of the 2022 World Cup," the Dortmund born attacker emphasized.
He never was in doubt about returning after injuries but had to go through several difficult periods. "You start to ask yourself why now, why this injury? But in the end, I always had the confidence to return and have a great time with my club in the Bundesliga and the Champions League," Reus commented.
"Everyone can work on his mentality and so did I," he said. "I tell myself that I have the opportunity to do my dream job and it is not time to complain and bury your head in the sand."
Reus said his good shape is the main reason for his current success aside of minor reasons such as his private situation, playing on his favorite position and having Lucien Favre as his club coach around.
ON HIS FAMILY
Reus and the fashion model Scarlet Gartmann are expecting the birth of a daughter by the end of February 2019 and recently announced their engagement after having moved together to a house in Dortmund. Since then media speculate about a near marriage of the couple.
ON HIS CLUB
In Dortmund, Reus came into bloom since he plays on his favorite position behind the front line and is working together with coach Favre. "The best coach I ever had when it comes to expertise and human values," said Reus.
The 2017 German Cup winner said he is happy to be part of a club that meanwhile is attracting unique talents from all over Europe despite the fact that top clubs joined the race.
Reus demanded patience from fans and club officials as "we need time to develop something great, but we are on the right track."
The striker added currently, only Dortmund is in his mind and future deals such as with clubs abroad, for example in China, currently don't play a major role. "I am impressed by China's efforts to introduce football, and I am sure the country will play a much better role in the future, but I am bound to Dortmund," he said.
ON NATIONAL TEAM
Reus emphasized 58-year-old Joachim Loew is the right man to carry out the necessary rejuvenation despite the early group exit at the 2018 World Cup in Russia that has caused widespread discussions about Loew's future.
"We have deep trust in his work. One should not forget what he initiated for German football in the past. One can't deny that he has developed German football," the Borussia forward stated adding the team has ambitious plans.
