By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 22 (Xinhua) – Munich's streets are still covered in snow and the temperature outside remind people that spring is a long way off. Either Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez is a sunny boy or he just likes to be different.
Despite the wintry conditions, the 29-year-old Basque turns up for the interview in shorts and flip-flops eating mandarins.
He talks about his unique relationship with Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes, the club's ambitions to win the Champions League again and his disappointment at not being picked for Spain's squad in Friday's friendly against Germany.
His casual after-training outfit belies Martinez's role as the team's law and order man. His job is to organize the 2017 German champion's defense.
He did a world class job in the 2013 Champions League final in Wembley when many felt he was the decisive factor in controlling opponents Borussia Dortmund on the way to Munich's 2-1 win.
In 2018, Martinez is again his coach's man for the policing job. The Bavarians have reached the quarterfinals of Europe's premier club competition where they have been drawn to play FC Sevilla.
"One by one, we want to win titles this season," the 2010 World Champion told Xinhua meaning the German league title, the cup and the crowning glory of European football.
Jupp Heynckes calls the man, who joined the Bayern in 2012 for 40 million euro from Bilbao, "indispensable". He must be. Bayern loses far more games at the highest level when he is not in the team.
In 2012, Heynckes convinced the club's Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and President Uli Hoeness to spend more money than ever before.
The investment paid off. Bayern won the treble – Martinez way a vital part of the winning squad. Four years later, fans are witnessing Martinez back at his best after former Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti only used him as central defender for a while.
While things are going well Munich, many people are surprised that Span's head coach Julen Lopetegui is ignoring Martinez.
Martinez said he was not told by the Spanish coach why he was not selected and admitted to feeling uncomfortable uncertainty. "He never calls players that are not part of the squad."
Former Barcelona icon Xavi Hernandez said Martinez is a vital cornerstone and one of Europe's best in that midfield position. "He deserves to be part of the Spanish team. He is a must for the 2018 World Cup," the 38-year-old commented.
Martinez answers Xavi's comments with a broad smile on his face.
"It's one of my biggest goals to be part of the Spanish World Cup team," he emphasizes adding that he will not give up and will do everything to "prove that I have to be in the team and convince the coach to select me," the Spaniard stressed.
Martinez sees Spain as one of the main contenders for the 2018 World Cup title in Russia. Titleholder Germany will have a hard nut to crack. "Spain is a very well organized team; all know exactly what to do. Spain is one of the big favorites to win the title," he stressed.
He called the Spanish league one of the strongest in the world. "Spanish clubs in the recent past have often reached the finals of the Champions League and the Europa League," he said. It shows the quality of the game in his home country but he also added that Bayern is ready to break the Spanish dominance – just like in 2013.
But 2018 is not 2013 Martinez commented. "We have the same coach, many players are still around, we get along well together, but we should not make a mistake to see too many similarities between then and now," the 2012 European Champion emphasized.
The next two months are crunch time for Bayern. Everybody at the club is approaching the final months of the season high on confidence and with their coach's trust and inspiration which is an essential part of the story we are about to write as "we are determined to do all to win all three titles this season." Heynckes empathic abilities are the main reason for the team's current success as "he creates a good mood; he is like a father for us."
What pleased him the most after Heynckes' return was the coach "telling me I was about to return to midfield."
It is the area of the pitch he grew up in. "It is where I feel at home and can best use my skills to benefit the team," he said adding his main task was to help the team keep a clean sheet. "I'm the worker, that's what makes me happy. I don't give much for headlines. I think modesty is a virtue."
Martinez said the Bavarians are facing a big challenge when having to play Sevilla in the last-eight-round. "I hear many say that we had a lucky draw. But hey, they're completely wrong," the midfielder commented.
He reminded people of the Spanish side's impressive performance against Manchester United when "Sevilla played like a top team, but then again they are a top team, they act like a top team, just ask United."
