Shinji Kagawa continues to be the centre of attention days after his game-winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen.
The Japan international earned weekly Best XI honours in German tabloid Bild as well as football magazine Kicker, who also named him the MVP of the match after helping Borussia Dortmund extend their unbeaten streak to 15 matches in the Bundesliga.
Kicker called the goal, Kagawa’s seventh in league play and 10th in all competitions, ‘the best of the season so far’.
“I used to score these kind of goals a lot in Japan,” Kagawa told NWZonline.
“Japanese players are small, so we have to make up for it with quickness and agility.”
When asked about comparisons between his deft touch and that of superstar Lionel Messi, the 22-year-old was quick to disagree.
“You can’t even ask that question,” the Samurai Blue regular said.
While teams across Europe have taken notice of his talents, Kagawa has repeatedly expressed a desire to stay with Dortmund after his contract expires in 2013.
Kagawa is expected to be called up for Japan’s World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan on February 29.
