By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting his three donkeys has become a cherished routine for Kai Havertz whenever the Arsenal striker manages to return to his home country.
Ahead of Germany's friendlies against Switzerland and Ghana, the 26-year-old spoke about his challenging return after a series of injuries, forcing him into a break of over a year, and how much his devotion to his favourite animals helped him through tough times.
"I always try to see them," he said, adding that a special connection has developed over the years.
"They are, to some extent, like me, calm, reluctant, resilient, and humble," he added after his parents gave him an unusual present for his 18th birthday, three donkeys.
Since his early years, the footballer's passion for animals has deepened, leading to a strong commitment to animal protection and animal therapy for both children and older adults.
Returning to the German shirt after his latest international back in November 2024 feels special for him, the Gunners attacker said.
It hasn't been easy for him, he said, as the fightback required a lot of patience. "You quickly see that you have been out for a year. And it for sure takes some games for me to get to the best level."
Returning also means accepting jokes from several teammates about his devotion to donkeys. "They know about my passion for these types of animals and sometimes make jokes," he said.
He doesn't mind being called a "donkey" by his nickname on the national team or his club. "They take life as it is, no matter what sacrifice is needed to go on," he said about his pets.
Donkeys' characteristics of caring for their fellows seem to address the needs of the recently struggling German team, which suffered two early exits in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.
Major tournaments require a united team and common effort, Havertz said. "That's what we are heading for as football is a team sport," he said.
The German team is ready for the next step, he emphasized: "so am I despite all the ups and downs over the past months."
He is prepared to take 90 minutes and take a leading role, he said, while adding that he feels comfortable in different roles in the front line.
To be flexible is part of the challenge for a World Cup, the forward said. "I have played different positions here and at my club. It doesn't mean to be a loudspeaker, it takes performance on the pitch to get the message through," the former Chelsea striker said.
Regarding this, things seem to come full circle with him and the donkeys.
"We as a team are hungry to create success and are ready to invest all to turn things for the better," Havertz said. ■