On the spot: Paulo Guerrero
September 15, 2008DWTV:
Paulo Guerrero
:I didn't like posters.
DWTV
:Stickers maybe?
Paulo Guerrero
:No. But I am a big fan of Zinedine Zidane, Thierry Henry and Ronaldo. They always fascinated me. They're my role models.
DWTV:
Paulo Guerrero:
Guerrero not only has the hair, he's got the game too. He showed that by scoring five goals in his first four games for Bayern back in 2004. But he's never really managed to match that fantastic form since. Known as a shy and reserved player, he says the key to finding the net is confidence.
Paulo Guerrero:
I had already scored 21 goals for Bayern Munich's amateur side. I was very proud of that. So I came into those games with a lot of confidence, and the goals just happened. My coach Felix Magath always told me: Score your goal, score your goal! That's all he asked, for me to score a goal. And I believed in myself so I always scored one or two.
DWTV:
Paulo Guerrero:
DWTV:
Paulo Guerrero:
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Paulo Guerrero:
2007/8 was Guerrero's breakthrough season. He scored 9 league goals and 5 in the UEFA Cup. And this time around his sights are set even higher.
DWTV:
Can Hamburg win the league this season?
Paulo Guerrero:
DWTV:
Paulo Guerrero:
Even as a teenager, Guerrero played for the national side in his native Peru. His first goal came as a substitute, but he's been a consistent member of the squad.
DWTV:
So what's more important to you, club or country?
Paulo Guerrero:
It's very different playing for Peru than playing for a club. You're not allowed to lose. I don't want to lose with Hamburg either, but when I put on the Peruvian jersey it's very different. Those are my people, my stadium. It's great playing in front of the crowd in Lima. What player doesn't want to play for his national side?
DWTV:
A lot of Latin American players dream of coming to Europe, something you did as a youngster. Wouldn't you have liked to play professionally in Peru as well?
Paulo Guerrero:
Of course, I would have, but Peruvian football isn't doing so well. There's no progress in the management, infrastructure and organization. In Europe, the situation is the opposite. So my parents always though I should go to Europe as soon as I got an offer.