Mesut Ozil has insisted that Germany showed that they have a "strong character" with their success at this summer's World Cup in Brazil.
Joachim Low's side beat Argentina in the final at the Maracana in the summer to win their fourth world title.
The Arsenal midfielder told the club's website: "Lots of people in the media had their say before the tournament and gave many opinions, some positive and some negative, about the team and individual players.
"Things like us not being a team or not being mature enough, that some players wouldn't battle enough or weren't able to do certain things. We proved to everyone what strong character we have as a team.
"In the past, we've been unlucky or not quite been able to maximise our potential and have gone out just before the end [of major tournaments]. This time, we were finally able to overcome that and reach the final. Once we got there, we knew that we could bring back the trophy."
Germany lost their rematch against Argentina 4-2 in a friendly earlier this week.
Sian Cowper
