Goetze recalls Messi photo regret as World Cup trophy brings 2014 rushing back

NEW YORK, June 24 : Mario Goetze stood beside the World Cup trophy again on Wednesday, close enough to see his reflection in the prize he helped Germany to lift in Rio de Janeiro 12 years ago, and close enough for the memories to come rushing back.

At the FIFA Museum in Rockefeller Center, Manhattan, the 2014 World Cup final still felt near: Andre Schuerrle's cross, Goetze's left-footed finish in extra time, Argentina's heartbreak and Lionel Messi's tears at the Maracana.

Goetze was 22 when he helped Germany to become the first European team to win the World Cup in South America. The significance of his winning goal had become clear only with time, the now 34-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder said.

"I have a replica at home, so sometimes I can look at it. But standing here in front of the real one is obviously different. It's just positive, to see it again," Goetze told Reuters.

"I didn't realise in that moment, or even afterwards, what that goal meant because I was so young. I just played football, enjoyed the moment... Back then it was a goal and I was happy and I could contribute to that win in the moment.

"Now that a few years went by I realise, okay, that was a special moment for the country, for myself, for the national team... And then you view it a bit differently, how special it is. It's just great to be here in this surrounding. For me and my career it was phenomenal."

As he walked around the exhibition, which features memorabilia from each World Cup, including the boots he wore in the final, Goetze reflected on his journey.

"It was my first World Cup and to deliver such a goal was really something. I think I dreamt about it when I was young, and it's just amazing," Goetze said.

PHOTO WITH MESSI

However,