On the 29th local time, Germany was eliminated by Paraguay in a penalty shootout during the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF World Cup. After the match, German Chancellor Merz posted a message on social media to encourage the team, which sparked backlash in German public opinion.
Mertz said, "It's sad to be eliminated, but this was a truly wonderful match! Your dedication and teamwork during this World Cup have inspired our country. We are proud of you!"
This post caused strong dissatisfaction in Germany. The Bild newspaper stated that the prime minister completely misjudged the public's emotions and described the performance of the German team in the World Cup as a complete "disaster".
Prime Minister, I am not proud,” said Marianne Hoene, editor of Picture Weekly. “I'm furious. I'm disappointed. I'm beyond angry! Our children only know Germany is a failure! German football is living entirely on its past glories now.”
Mertz was criticized; football was just the trigger for public dissatisfaction among German citizens.
Currently, this major European country is facing economic difficulties, broken infrastructure, and a general loss of direction. Rising energy prices, rising unemployment rates, and the decline of its once powerful automotive industry have left German citizens feeling at a loss.
The headline of Le Monde is striking: "Germany is no longer the old Germany," reflecting the feelings of Germans at that moment.
The British newspaper The Daily Telegraph believes that the German team's defeat in this World Cup, and the strange opinion expressed by Germany's Chancellor who considered this to be something worthy of celebration, are so painful for the Germans because they reveal that…
Depressed German fans. Reuters
Mertz's post was also mocked by the Russian side.
Russian President's special representative Dmitriev shared Mertz's post, and sarcastically said, "Mertz is always good at encouraging failure."
In response to external criticism, Mertz further wrote, "We celebrate victories together, and we stand united in times of failure. It is this strength that makes us strong. All those who wear the eagle emblem on their chests deserve our strong support, not ridicule."
German football was once renowned worldwide, regarded as the perfect combination of strength, speed, and efficiency. It won the World Cup four times, just behind the football kingdom of Brazil.
But this time, at the Gillette Stadium in Boston, USA, the German team lost its first World Cup penalty shootout in history. Moreover, they failed to reach the round of 16 in three consecutive World Cups, marking the end of Germany’s four-star glory.
During the match, the German team had a large number of possession opportunities, but they failed to truly control the game. Many fans said that the German team seemed to be obsessed with meaningless ball controls and ground penetrations, having lost the traditional charm of German football.
German team coach Nagelsmann said, "I am very disappointed." German forward Havertz said, "I don't think we played badly, but there always seems to be something missing."
