Gotze’s career journey from World Cup to PSV

Mario Gotze

has realized in recent years that he only needs to meet his own expectations. As he rebuilds his career in the relative quiet of the Eredivisie at

, he is tentatively planning his second life in football after he put too much pressure on himself.

The six years since that goal in the

2014 World Cup

final against Argentina saw him spend two seasons at 

and return to

, where his fitness slipped away and he could not replicate his old form.

He decided to leave German football in the summer of 2020 and join

PSV

where he can handle pressure better than before and build back up again.

"From the outside, for sure there was a lot of media and pressure, but the only thing that matters [is] my view, my own view and how I view myself and my development,”

Gotze told ESPN

.

“Maybe I put too much pressure on myself, and that's the only thing that is more important than what other people expect or say because in the end, it's all about yourself, and how you see yourself.”

He has scored four goals and has been asked about the possibility of a Germany recall under Joachim Low, and it is something Gotze would consider if the chance arose.

Gotze said:

"We are still in touch, I've known him since I was 18 years old. I have worked with him, we were successful together. He is a good guy, great person, good coach. But for me as a player, I don't decide. I don't make the decision, but I am always open to it... yeah."

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