Dortmund belongs to the Champions League says Reus

   By Oliver Trust

   BERLIN, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Despite just coming back from an eight-month injury break, German international Marco Reus is set on achieving his ambitious goals in the next few months, said the Borussia Dortmund striker in a recent Xinhua interview. 

   In addition to qualifying for the 2018/2019 Champions League, the 28-year old is desperate to be a part of the German squad at the 2018 World Cup. 

   "I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn't thinking about the 2018 World Cup and wanting to play there," said Reus. He is pleased by the positive feedback coming from the German national coach Joachim Loew who announced that he is waiting for Reus to get back to full fitness.

  Loew hopes Reus will soon return to the fold and be one of the key figures in the team and boost its chances of lifting the World Cup trophy. Loew called Reus a game decider.

   "But I am not the type planning the next three to four steps. Therefore I intend to concentrate on my club's performance and, I am sure, when performing well, I will be part of the German team."

   Reus said qualifying for the Champions League is a must for his club. "Borussia is a Champions League club. It is where we belong especially after we have made our mark there in the recent past," the forward said.

  Reus' value for the Blacks and Yellows can't be overestimated. In his first four games after his return, he scored three goals. Teammates benefit from his pace, movement and inspiring ideas.

   Reus recently returned to action after his third long spell out of the game in only three years. He previously suffered a long-term pelvis injury which kept him out of the 2016 European Championships and a knee ligament tear which prevented him from being a part of Germany's 2014 World Cup winning squad.

   Reus then ruptured his cruciate ligament just before half-time in last season's German Cup final 2017 and has been recovering ever since.

  His medical history makes Reus the unluckiest player in German football. Pundits are convinced that without the injuries the gifted Dortmund-born forward would be a candidate for one of European football's big guns like Manchester City, Manchester United, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona and Paris St. Germain.

  Reus joined Dortmund in 2012 from Borussia Moenchengladbach. Having missed out on back-to-back league titles under Jurgen Klopp, last season's cup triumph was his first silverware as a professional player - but it was bittersweet and Reus admitted he cried in the dressing room in Berlin.

  "When I was substituted at half-time, there were a few tears because it was just so tough to take," he said. "It was heaven and hell at the same time. We'd just won the cup, my first title, but obviously, I didn't want to celebrate with a ruptured ligament."

   "Then two or three days later when looking back, the tears came again. But I think it's only human. It's important to let your feelings out sometimes," he commented.

   The latest injuries helped him to develop a new attitude to football he said. "Believe it or not, it is not titles, goals or assists I love most, but it is having fun playing a game I love, the one I've played all my life." Passion and desire generate energy he emphasized.

    Reus said he is enjoying his new ease of mind and called it "the most significant thing I learned over the last months." He stressed that he has returned stronger and gained a new mental strength. "It is about accepting life's ups and downs," he added.

   The Dortmund striker said he does not take things as seriously as he did previously. "I know many things in life are much worse than what has happened to me."

   He admitted to that he has had to overcome frustrating moments "knowing you can't be part of your team for the next four to five months is not something that makes you jump for joy." He has now developed a confidence that is strong enough to deal with a severe injury.

   "It is a fact: You perform better when you're in a good state of mind."

  Reus says the most challenging aspect of his recovery has been the loneliness but insists that his friends, his family and his girlfriend have helped him through.

   "People will say: 'Yeah but he earns so much money anyway,' but that is of no importance," he said. "I would have given away everything I have earned just to be healthy again and to do my job, to do what I love, namely playing football."

   Reus' current contract with Dortmund runs out in 2019. He admitted that he might be open to something new, but hasn't yet decided about his future.

  "There are four or five teams abroad which I find attractive - that's obvious," he said. "I will turn 30 on 31 May 2019, so it will be my last big contract and my last chance to try out something different. I have to be honest and fair and say that I don't know where I'll end up."

   His injuries have taught him not to think about what is ahead in one or two years time.

  He has learned to think about the future beyond football. Life is not just titles and scoring goals he said. He sees life as being able "to feel free and do what you like best. It helps you to accept life. It is important to know that one's football career does not always following a strict pattern."

   Dortmund's sports director Michael Zorc said it is one of the club's main aims to extend Reus' contract and built a new team around the fans' idol, a figure they can identify with.

  As for the 2018 World Cup, Reus feels it is likely to be harder to win than the 2014 tournament "as many nations have improved and developed." The Dortmund forward expects little details will decide the destination of the 2018 title.

  Germany will have to invest 100 percent to win the World Cup again. The team's experience is the teams' great advantage he said. Germany is what you call a tournament side Reus added.  Enditem