From the elevation of football as a healing force
Whenever a team from a country wins a football tournament with significant social conflicts, the triumph is attributed a healing power. Julian Nagelsmann and Uli Hoeneß are also partaking in this madness.
"France celebrates the victory with euphoria and newfound confidence. In years of terror anxiety, an important signal for the self-confidence and cohesion of the entire nation." This was stated in the "Tagesschau" after the victory of the French team at the Football World Cup 2018. Witnesses to this were young fans in Paris who said: "Today we are all united." Or also: "All cultures, the team represents the whole country. All racism, all problems are for today gone." And tomorrow?
Immediately after Argentina's victory in the WM 2022 final, a reporter from Buenos Aires announced in "Morgenmagazin": "The people have been suffering from an economic crisis for years, over 90% inflation this year", the situation is "much more difficult than in Germany". And then poverty, which has increased, the high debt mountain of the country, which the Argentine government could not grasp. "The people often suffer from these conditions in their daily lives. And then this, this salvation, this recognition, this fighting spirit, which they also have to have in everyday life here."
The reporting corresponds to the reflex of attributing a healing power to the victory of a team from a country with significant social conflicts, caused by poverty, racism, and political polarization. If it really exists, it only lasts a few days. In reality, it is banal: The joy pushes aside for a short time the many concerns - but not the reality. Soon, everyday life will bring the people back. What ultimately counts is the look at the bank account. Political events also speak a different language. France is as divided as ever, as the recent election showed. Argentina, to speak of it.
Nagelsmann carries the pathos of it
One can joke and ask, what would have been if Germany had won the EM title, if someone in the "Tagesschau" or somewhere else had explained under the reference to economic fluctuations and loss of purchasing power: "Germany celebrates the victory with euphoria and newfound confidence. In years of fear of wealth loss and violence, an important signal for the self-confidence and cohesion of the entire nation." It is highly unlikely that this can be denied, especially since the word "nation" is still avoided, although it is in "Nationalmannschaft". In any case, we would have had countless statements and appeals for more courage, confidence, cohesion, and solidarity among Germans with and without a migration background.
Just before the first EM match, national trainer Julian Nagelsmann demanded that his team be politically left in peace and not be bothered with the result of a "shit" opinion poll: "I would wish that the team would be taken out of all debates." Not the excitement was the problem, but its result, which - pardon - was as brown as shit. "Political and social issues always lead to discussions within a football team, where different opinions, cultures, and religions come together, and that usually affects performance," he told "Spiegel".
Therefore, the motto: Peace, Joy, Football. It was all the more surprising then, that Nagelsmann gave a fiery speech after the elimination of his team and made his contribution to overcoming social conflicts through football. In a mix of Federal President and pastor's speech, he said not without pathos: "It's important to realize in what beautiful country we live, landscapes and culturally. What possibilities we have, if we all hold together and don't paint everything black, deny our neighbor nothing, and are consumed by envy." And: "One must support each other, integrate all people, and welcome everyone."
What's left of the "Summer Fairy Tale 2006"?
Everyone who is not completely apathetic would agree. However, it is easier to say that when one is a top earner living in a bubble of millionaire players who have no existential anxiety and can speak well. Even statements from FC Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness went in this direction. He either ignored the results of the European elections and other events on the continent or had not internalized them. The German "National Team with its appearance" provided more confidence, he boldly claimed in "Kicker". "This tournament brought Europe together, Germany and the continent can only benefit from it."
Who believes it, may be blessed. And hopefully no players from other teams are whistling, who haven't discovered the offside rule. What's left of the "Summer Fairy Tale 2006" except beautiful memories, that the Germans can be light and friendly hosts? The truth is also simple here: Success prevails. That's all. No team is cheered on that plays badly and loses against relatively weak opponents. Nevertheless, sport has something integrative. You can see it on sports fields, where girls and boys with different social backgrounds or people with and without disabilities train together. Aggressive parents and brutal attacks on referees are a different matter.
Professional football has never been a driver of social change before. The "Respect" banners and anti-racism slogans on shirts are right and good, but also fig leaves: Look, we're doing something. "If we always fall into despair and everything is gray and everything is bad, then no one will improve," Nagelsmann said. But the truth is also that with good football performances, we don't solve the crises of Germany and the world. Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, and Lukas Podolski with their foundations, which support seriously ill or socially disadvantaged children, have probably achieved more concrete results than all national teams of the past decades.
Titles at European and World Championships remain just as memorable as disastrous European or World Championship games in the collective memory of a country. Social and political sustainability is not connected to them. Symbolically, fan miles are. In Berlin, for example, the six-lane 17th of June Street is closed for traffic for several weeks every two years, without anyone protesting. But if roads are to be closed with the explanation that they are doing something for health, safety, and climate protection, a heated debate ensues. And it's not easy to appease, let alone end.
Julian Nagelsmann, the German national team's coach, expressed his belief in the unifying power of soccer during Football EURO 2024, stating, "It's important to realize in what beautiful country we live, landscapes and culturally. What possibilities we have, if we all hold together and don't paint everything black, deny our neighbor nothing, and are consumed by envy." Uli Hoeness, former president of FC Bayern Munich, also believed in the tournament's power to unite Europe, stating, "This tournament brought Europe together, Germany and the continent can only benefit from it." Both Nagelsmann and Hoeness show a strong association with soccer, with Nagelsmann currently managing the national team and Hoeness having a prominent role in German football's history.
