No, I really don’t have any ritual at all.

I really am concentrating on not forgetting the words or getting them muddled up; after all, I know that sometimes I can be heard on the television.

No, I don’t need anything special. In professional sports, it is quite normal that things don’t always go your way so I am used to it, and it is relatively easy for me to change my mood.

I still have quite a few. I still want to win an international championship with the club, and the same goes for the national team. I reckon that I still have two or three seasons as an active player in the national team, so a championship victory is definitely the objective.

It all depends on their age. If they’re still very young, say 11 or 12, then having fun is the most important thing. They shouldn’t be limiting themselves in any way; just playing and trying things out for themselves. 17 or 18-year-olds who have the feeling they could make it, should take a disciplined approach and give football their undivided attention.

It depends on the occasion; I like both but I am more the casual type.

The blue jacket. It is sporty yet elegant and it looks very good on me.

There are a couple of things. First of all the basics such as my laptop, washbag and, very important for me personally, my contact lenses. But then there are also my style basics such as my HUGO shirt and my chinos from HUGO and BOSS. I just feel great when I’m wearing these.

Unfortunately, I haven’t seen enough myself to really be able to judge.

Success for me is not purely defined by a championship victory. On the way to the big goal, there are also many small triumphs along the way and these count, too. A hard-won victory, for example, is a success for me. If I set myself a personal training target and achieve it after weeks or months, that is also a success. Personally, I have set myself the goal to improve my performance in offensive header shots. I am working very hard to achieve that. And then, of course, winning the championship with the club or the world championship with the national team would be a really big success.

Yes, I do, in fact. I always put my left shoe on first, followed by the right. And then I put my left shin pad on, and so on. But I still haven’t tested the ritual to see if it really works (laughs).

When I hear the national anthem before a game, my chest swells with pride. I feel gratitude for the honour of being able to play for my country.

It always takes me a while to process a defeat or a match that hasn’t gone very well. But I am pretty good at separating football from real life. That also applies during time off due to injury.

To be world champion, of course!

It takes a lot of discipline and professionalism to become a pro, but you should always enjoy the game regardless.

I feel most comfortable wearing casual clothes.

The slim-fit suit. It fits just perfectly.

My mobile, along with the charger, and a tooth brush!

I’m a great fan of the Maldives. I think it’s paradise on earth and the perfect place for me to get away from it all after a strenuous season, recharge my batteries and just chill out.

To achieve the personal goals that you have set yourself.