London, Sep 22 (IANS) German football giant Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer revealed legend Jens Lehmann was always his hero, adding the retired goalie was a goalkeeping revolutionary who played the game in his own way.
“Jens Lehmann was always my hero, because he played for Schalke, and he was a bit of a goalkeeping revolutionary – he played the game his own way,” Neuer was quoted as saying by adidas on Monday.
“There’s Oliver Kahn, who as a German keeper you have to respect massively for what he achieved. And I also liked Edwin van der Saar, and the way he played, very much,” the German national team goalkeeper said.
The 28-year-old agrees with the idea that goalkeeping errors are portrayed larger than saves, but believes they should firmly be put behind in order to progress effectively.
“You might make some big saves that get shown on TV highlights, but the cameras might not notice something small but effective you did. If your team wins, it is the goalscorer that gets the recognition, sure,” he said.
“But that comes with the job, and if you don’t want to accept it, don’t be a goalkeeper. You save a penalty, you’re a hero, you make a mistake, you get slammed. That’s the business I’m in. Making mistakes and putting them behind you is a big part of playing in goal. They bug you, but you have to forget them,” Neuer said.