After injury put Jerome Boateng’s World Cup spot with Germany into doubt, the Berlin-born defender put all his focus into returning to fitness. Now, afterJOachim Low included him in his final squad, Boateng says he’s ready to start.
”Right now, I can promise that I’ll be ready for the World Cup in Russia. I’m at 90%, I started sprints and ball training and things are looking good, I’m well on schedule, but I don’t want to take any risks. Injuries happen in football, and I suffered one at a bad time,” Boateng told German publication BILD am Sonntag.
The 29-year-old started all seven matches of Germany’s World Cup title-winning campaign in Brazil four years ago. Alongside Matt Hummels the Berlin native forms the first-choice pairing in the centre of defence for club and country.