Boateng: I just have to be patient

He has stroked tigers, held monkeys in his arm, and enjoyed the sun. Now Jérôme Boateng's vacation is over – fortunately! “I'm not working to capacity at all,” revealed the FCB defender, who has been sidelined for almost four weeks with a ruptured muscle in the groin. On Tuesday the 27-year-old returned to the Säbener Strasse performance centre and talked about his situation at the official opening of the new fan shop.

“I'm fine, I'm confident and satisfied with the progress,” said Boateng, an onlooker for the first time in his career. “It's pretty hard. I could do hardly anything for four weeks. Only lymph drainage sessions, slow walking and swimming. It's probably awkward to spend time with me at the moment,” he said with a grin.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel. The Germany international revealed that he will increase his training load during the next week. His target is the Euro 2016 finals this summer. “But first I want to be out on the pitch for Bayern this season.” Boateng plans to resume the squad programme in April. But it’s important not to rush, which is hard for the defender. “Patience isn't one of my virtues,” admitted Boateng, “but unfortunately I just have to be patient.”