“In the summer of 2007 I went to South Africa to get an impression of the country and people hosting the 2010 Football World Cup, and I took home the feeling that above all they urgently need help. So many South African children live in abject poverty, and so many of them have lost their parents – mainly victims of Aids.

If these people don’t get help, they haven’t got a chance of a future. While I was there I often found myself playing football with children and teenagers –in the SOS Children’s Villages and in the townships too, where the poor blacks mostly live. It was a really important experience for me. Football was our common language, and I could see that these children have a huge amount of sport talent and potential.

My foundation is dedicated to giving these children and young people some support. Sport, especially football, is a way we can get through to people and make them realize that education can help them to create opportunities and start standing on their own two feet.

I grew up in Munich with all the advantages that a sheltered environment and family backing can give – I had a great start to life, and got support all along the road to success as a professional footballer. I want my foundation to help others who haven’t been as lucky as I have – both in Africa and here in Germany.”