The game between Germany and the Netherlands has generally always been very emotionally charged. Before kick-off on Monday, a step was taken.
Andreas Becker and Julian Buhl report from Munich
That’s it. Ten years after the World Cup title in Brazil, the last world champions have now said goodbye to the DFB team. An era ends with the party in Munich – Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos say hello. And İlkay Gündoğan, who captained Germany at the home European Championships in the summer, also said goodbye to the fans in Munich.
Even before the three players mentioned entered the pitch in the Allianz Arena, before the start of the Nations League game against the Netherlands (watch the game here in the live ticker), things got emotional. Because a great choreo was prepared. The likeness of all four players was surrounded by a “Thanks for everything, boys.” Above it is a huge Germany flag, paired with the word “Legends”.
Accompanied by huge cheers from the sold-out arena, highlights from the best international matches were once again shown on the video screen. Seated spectators? None. Nobody was sitting in the stadium anymore, and there was another big round of applause when the names of the four former DFB stars were called out loudly around the arena. However, Kroos was missing because he was on the football field with children in his youth academy. Absolutely certain: he would have liked that too.
“Of course it was a great story. The time went by incredibly quickly,” said Müller on ZDF about 14 years in the DFB team and “the world careers” that those who left would have achieved. But he doesn’t get sentimental. “The next generation is just around the corner!”
“The overall package of Monday’s game,” national coach Julian Nagelsmann said full of anticipation before the game, “will certainly be very exciting and emotional.” He was right. After all, he also had a reason to celebrate: he has been national coach for exactly a year now. In addition to some sporting successes, his greatest achievement so far is probably having sparked a new euphoria around the national team. After years of desolation.
By the way, the celebration continues after the game. Over 300 invited guests, families and friends are invited by the DFB to a meal and an extensive party. “Then it will be emotional again when we come together as a whole group and honor the achievements of the players, but also the employees,” said Nagelsmann. In addition to the players, physiotherapist Wolfgang Bunz and Uli Voigt also said farewell to the media team.