By Rune Gjerulff@runegjerulff

Götze admits 2018 has been a challenging year for him

Mario Götze has looked back at a difficult year. "There were ups and downs for me this year, and there were also some challenges. I'll admit that," he says.
Mario Götze.
Mario Götze.Photo: Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund star Mario Götze has admitted that 2018 has been a challenging year for him.

The 26-year-old has been victim of a lot of criticism as he has failed to live up to his performances of the past. Subsequently, he was left out of Germany's World Cup squad and has had to settle for a bench role at Dortmund through a large part of this season.

And while Götze doesn't want to hide that it has been difficult for him at times, the offensive midfielder feels that he's on his way back to his best.

"There were ups and downs for me this year, and there were also some challenges. I'll admit that. I see it as a chance to grow. And towards the end of the year, things are going very well for me personally again," Götze said in an interview with Sport Bild and went on:

"I feel like the extremity with which I have been judged for years has been toned down a bit recently."

"That has been a good thing for me," Götze said.

Götze's contract with Dortmund runs for another year and a half, and according to Bild, the first talks over a potential contract extension are set to take place in the summer.

The 26-year-old has made 14 appearances for Dortmund this season with one goal and one assist to his name.

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