#mnkf

Happy 32nd birthday, Manuel Neuer!

I only love one (1) man and my grandma agrees that I made a pretty decent choice. He’s more than just a football player, he’s one of the most lovely people I’ve ever seen and has a heart of gold. 

BILD: "On Saturday you will receive the Golden Heart from 'Ein Herz für Kinder'. So, do you have one?"

Manuel: "I have already received the Golden Glove, but not the 'Golden Heart'. Of course it's important to me to help socially disadvantaged children. Back at home, the Ruhr area, every third child is affected. Seven years ago I launched the 'Manuel Neuer Kids Foundation'. I might be the face of this foundation but our employees are the ones who actually deserve the award. We are working hard to create equal opportunities for the children."

B: "What exactly are the foundation's projects?"

M: "We have different projects in our kids house in Gelsenkirchen-Buer. We're looking after kids from 6 to 18 years old. We give them healthy breakfast and lunch at school. We also help them with their homework and studies for tests. There are etiquette classes, dancing classes, DJ-workshops, ..."

B: "What? No sports?"

M: "Yes, of course! The 'Manus' house is located between two schools and we can use both gyms. Many kids see this as their second home or even as a second family. We're an open house no matter if you are socially disadvantaged or not. There are about 60 to 90 kids who come to us every day."

B: "You're a world champion, you have been declared the best goalkeeper in the world four times and you have won the Champions League. How much does the Golden Heart mean to you as an award that has nothing to do with your sports career?"

M: "It means a lot to me. When you look at how many kids who come to us have developed over the years, our employees and I can really be proud. When I recently went there and saw how eager they were during one of their dance performances, that was extremely touching. Even my injury takes a back seat in moments like that. Of course I want to play again soon. But there are more important things in life than not standing in the goal for half a year, like helping others building a life."

B: "Did you ever get to know poverty in the Ruhr area when you were younger?"

M: "I understood it later on in life why some other students always wore the same clothes or couldn't go on school trips with the rest of us. They didn't have enough money and they were too ashamed to talk about it. When you're a child, you don't really think about it that way."

B: "Are you planning to extend your project?"

M: "It's my goal to open another house for kids in Munich and then another one in Berlin."

B: "Private question: What about having children yourself?"