![German national soccer coach Joachim Loew (L-R), players Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker arriving for the presentation of the national soccer jerseys for the 2010 FIFA World Cup German national soccer coach Joachim Loew (L-R), players Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker arriving for the presentation of the national soccer jerseys for the 2010 FIFA World Cup](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2E8G6HB/german-national-soccer-coach-joachim-loew-l-r-players-michael-ballack-philipp-lahm-bastian-schweinsteiger-and-per-mertesacker-arriving-for-the-presentation-of-the-national-soccer-jerseys-for-the-2010-fifa-world-cup-in-herzogenaurach-november-10-2009-reutersmichaela-rehle-germany-tags-sport-soccer-2E8G6HB.jpg)
German national soccer coach Joachim Loew (L-R), players Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker arriving for the presentation of the national soccer jerseys for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
![FIFA 16: Per Mertesacker included in top 10 defenders, Arsenal linchpin top centre-back in Premier League | The Independent | The Independent FIFA 16: Per Mertesacker included in top 10 defenders, Arsenal linchpin top centre-back in Premier League | The Independent | The Independent](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/09/14/17/mertesacker-fifa.jpg?quality=75&width=640&auto=webp)
FIFA 16: Per Mertesacker included in top 10 defenders, Arsenal linchpin top centre-back in Premier League | The Independent | The Independent
![Per Mertesacker (L-R), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Arne Friedrich of Germany celebrate after the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2010 group D match between Germany and Australia at Moses Mabhida Per Mertesacker (L-R), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Arne Friedrich of Germany celebrate after the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2010 group D match between Germany and Australia at Moses Mabhida](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/D5972N/per-mertesacker-l-r-goalkeeper-manuel-neuer-and-arne-friedrich-of-D5972N.jpg)
Per Mertesacker (L-R), goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Arne Friedrich of Germany celebrate after the final whistle of the FIFA World Cup 2010 group D match between Germany and Australia at Moses Mabhida
![FIFA 16: Per Mertesacker included in top 10 defenders, Arsenal linchpin top centre-back in Premier League | The Independent | The Independent FIFA 16: Per Mertesacker included in top 10 defenders, Arsenal linchpin top centre-back in Premier League | The Independent | The Independent](https://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/thumbnails/image/2015/09/14/18/per-mertesacker.jpg?quality=75&width=1200&auto=webp)