Benedikt Höwedes returns to Gelsenkirchen as a World Cup winner. The 26-year old defender featured in all seven of Joachim Lowe's matches, including the final against Argentina.
Schalke 04 kick off their campaign agianst Dynamo Dresden in the DFB-Pokal before travelling to Hannover 96 for the opening day of the season.
Speaking to Schalke's official wesbite, the German international enjoyed his time in Brazil, but admitted that he is looking forward to the return of the Bundesliga.
Höwedes on; winning the World Cup:
"An indescribable feeling and one thing is certain: It will still take some time before it truly settles in and before you realise that you have achieved something of such great value. The World Cup is the biggest title there is. I think that all of Germany experienced a very special summer. Personally I didn’t change, but I’m now a World Champion. I now look forward to the new season with Schalke and naturally I’m still hungry for more success. My ambition is unbroken."
Höwedes on; his favourite moment in Brazil:
"Obviously it was a special moment to raise the trophy into the air and our welcome-back celebration with the fans on Berlin’s fan-mile was amazing. But the most memorable moment for me was Mario Götze’s 1-0 winner in the Final. My eyes almost began to fill with tears after that ball went in. All the pressure was suddenly gone."
Höwedes on; playing at left back:
"I always thought: If I play, then as a right back. The manager told me about his plans ahead of the Cameroon match. My task was to control my side of the pitch and win my challenges. I doubt anyone believed that I would play every game as left back. It’s something that makes me unbelievably proud. In Schalke I would however like to continue playing as a centre back. But I also enjoy playing on the right side and the manager knows that he can rely on me if I’m needed as a right back."
Höwedes on; facing his German teammates:
"Of course some new bonds were formed during the World Cup, but a true friendship takes time to develop. There is no time for friendship during a 90 minute game of football, where your main concern is to be focussed and when it’s all about winning or losing. Every player wants to help his team be as successful as possible."
Höwedes on; upcoming goals:
"Our primary goal is to again qualify for the Champions League and to fight for third place. We have the quality to do so, also through our new signings. Our next step is to get to the stage, where we can consistently present and display this quality. We continue to have the potential to compete with the best despite the many injuries. We need to develop the same sense of unity that we had in the national team at Schalke. This was already something we displayed in the second half of the season last year. We are only strong as a unit, that’s what the summer showed."
Höwedes on; the DFB-Pokal tie against Dynamo Dresden:
"We expect a difficult and intense game. They have a newly formed and ambitious team, whose fans will provide a very special atmosphere and they will try to use that to their advantage and cause us problems in return. However and with all due respect: We are the favourites and should definitely leave the pitch as the winners. Whether or not I can play personally is not yet certain and I will have to talk with our manager about it first. But I will definitely be part of the squad and travel with the team."
All quotes taken from Schalke04.de