The 25-year-old believes he should not take his position as a professional footballer for granted.
Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka has opened up about the issues of opposing right-wing politics in Germany, also has taken inspiration from people with a similar stage as his to help fight social injustice.
Goretzka clarified that as a professional footballer, he has the capacity to express his own beliefs in a manner that perhaps other occupations cannot.
The Germany international has come under the eye of the media recently after urging his Twitter followers to stick to the official accounts of the Auschwitz concentration camp.
The move came after Bayern supporters honoured a Jewish member of this club that fell victim to National Socialism, when they marked the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the camp during last month’s home match with Schalke.
“Both the fans and players gamers have a great responsibility in this respect,” Goretzka stated in an exclusive interview with Target and DAZN.
“[Former West Germany global ] Fritz Walter once said that all national players are foreign ministers in shorts. I believe the saying is extremely good. We players must use the terrific care we get to raise awareness of these problems.
“I will use my reach to communicate a specific mindset, optimally pass it on to young soccer fans and act as a role model.
“So I can do my part. I’d call for other soccer professionals to do the same.”
Goretzka hasn’t held back his perspectives on non-football issues on social media and has taken inspiration from other people – both in and outside of the sporting arena – to step forward.
“The comments I received most intensively came from my direct environment which was always positive,” he continued.
“However, I generally have the impression that society is happy when people from public life position themselves and are authentic.
“In social media it’s a component of the fact which you can find a sh*tstorm for something like this. The way to manage it is a matter of classification.
“You can see very quickly whether someone is truly thinking and objectively criticising, or if it is just personal insults.
“Along with Fritz Walter who I’ve already mentioned, all players that are involved with the no-to-racism campaigns are role models.
“Additionally, the captain of the US national team Megan Rapinoe. She has positioned herself quite clearly on political and sociopolitical problems.
“I’ve certainly said lots of crap in front of the camera, but not on this subject.”
The midfielder also shared his team-mate Jerome Boateng’s recent opinion about the rise in racism in the nation, but is thankful that a number of the episodes are being handled in a positive way.
“The events are felt more frequently and I also believed, [such as Boateng], we were further [ahead on combating racism] in Germany,” added Goretzka.
“This has motivated me to reveal more of a stance again and again to openly express my view.
“However, there also have been positive examples lately. When Leroy Kwadwo was racially insulted by the Wurzburger Kickers while playing Preussen Munster, fans helped the authorities to discover the perpetrator.
“Additionally, there were cheers for the affected player in the arena. This is a prime example of how to resolve such a circumstance.
“It is essential that these amazing and important moments get focus. This creates a feeling of community in which everybody realises they are not alone in the struggle against right-wing.”
