Per Mertesacker insists that he’s not interested in being recognised as a celebrity

Unlike other Arsenal players, such as Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin, who tend to market themselves as a celebrity or brand, Per insists that he’s completely disinterested in being seen in the same way. He doesn’t even like getting recognised.

“That’s what I love, getting the tube, not getting any recognition, trying to be as normal as possible,” he told the Guardian.

“Sometimes you get a big Arsenal fan and they tell you they have a season ticket or want to have a chat, which is fine. Some want a selfie, but sometimes I just want to say: ‘Let’s just shake hands. It means more than a picture.’ But not a lot of guys ever think that way!”

Interestingly, despite being a popular squad member at Arsenal, the 32-year-old claims that it’s actually quite hard to maintain relationships when you’re a footballer and revealed that he’s got very few close friends in the sport.

“Our partners and wives understand the value of spending that time together,” he said. “In football you don’t have that massive relationship. I can’t even count to five when I say my proper friends in football.”

The Arsenal captain is known for being a great leader and has spoken himself about the methods he uses to lighten the mood (singing Drake in the dressing room… I’m not kidding). However, away from the football pitch, the centre-back seems like a gentle giant who tries to make as much time for his family away from the sport as possible.

Per has been married to Germany international handball player, Ulrike Stange, since 2013. Together, they have two sons.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BX8IbqzlDcM/?hl=en&taken-by=p_mertesacker

Per’s private life seems to be just that: private. And while the former Germany international does post on social media quite regularly, it’s always about football. He doesn’t mix his personal life with his public profiles.

It’s actually pretty refreshing to see.