German soccer narratives conclude at Wembley
The now-familiar faces of Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels, and Marco Reus will collide in the Champions League finale set to take place at the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday night. Both teams are competing for the prestigious Henkelpot, the pinnacle of club-level European football. Simultaneously, an end to a momentous era of German football stories, as tears are expected from either or both sides.
Within Wembley's confines, the path of these three individuals crosses- a journey of seemingly unparalleled contrasts, both physically and sportingly. The emotions run deep, akin to that fateful night eleven years ago, where Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund battled for the Champions League trophy. The scars from that heartrending match lingered, with Kroos injured for Bayern, and Hummels and Reus shining for Dortmund. The difference in their fortunes was stark, as Bayern emerged victorious by a nail-biting margin. Tears flowed, history was rewritten, and the revelation of greatness, triumph, and tragedy ensued.
The early days of this tale began a year later, as deep within the Brazilian terrain, the German national team emerged victorious under the guidance of Kroos. The heroic Hummels ventured forth in defense - with Reus set to join the fray, but injury cut their personal journey short. Years would pass before these three players were reunited on the field, when Reus-assisted Kroos with a scintillating free-kick against Sweden, with the score at 2:1, and a moment just days later cruelly denied Hummels a sizable opportunity against South Korea, ending in Germany's ignominious exit. Since then, Wembley has taken on a new significance as chapters of their respective careers draw to a close, with potential tears in their eyes.
Moving forward, we're left to wonder, is Hummels speaking about his future at Borussia Dortmund? The impending conclusion of the BVB center-back's contract looms large as he's put forth three possible paths going forward: stay, move to a club nearby in the EU, or hang up his boots. Hummels believes retiring is highly unlikely. We'll see if Saturday evening reflects any newfound clarity before the final whistle sounds at 9 pm, when the Champions League final unfolds on ZDF and the ntv.de live ticker.
The stakes are undoubtedly high - the Henkelpot represents the pinnacle of club football. Eleven years after the heartbreaking defeat against Bayern Munich, Dortmund reemerges on the grandest of stages. But as the question echoes across Europe: why? The mystery of Dortmund's resurgence remains one of the biggest narratives of the season. In the face of underdogs like Darmstadt, Heidenheim, and Bochum, the tireless commitment exhibited by Hummels stood out. Despite the occasional luck factor - as exemplified by the thrilling semi-final against Paris St. Germain - and with his recent harsh words for coach Edin Terzic in "Sport Bild," the prospect of a comfortable, long-term relationship between them seems remote. Despite all this, speculations linger about the possibility of Hummels remaining with the Black and Yellows.
A recurring theme in the Bundesliga has been the tremendous size of Dortmund, marred by seemingly wounded limbs after every match. However, when the date belonged to their rousing anthem by Tony Britten, this injured giant cast aside their crutches, launched forth across the field as if the wounds from the weekend games never happened. The group of death? Check. Super-PSV-Eindhoven? Check. Dirty Atletico? Check. And there's Hummels. As a controller, a Kevin Macdonald character, and a goalscorer, he turned the tides for his team in the second leg. Eventually, the superstar ensemble of Qatari investors was swept away, with a mountainous account accrued that they could no longer manage.
In the aftermath of this momentous match, Dortmund's players sprinted headlong towards their adoring fans, and moments of unforgettable visuals were captured forever. Reus, the incomplete Black and Yellow, remained on the fence and fueled the euphoria with his megaphone in hand. It's no coincidence that the offensive player's contact status has become null and void, as he prepares to leave Dortmund this summer. Doubts circle around the top tier of clubs that would consider housing 35-year-old Reus. Reus's time seemingly ended, yet that's far from the full story. His time wasn't when it should've been; that's how the narrative goes. But isn't that rather inaccurate? His time, when it arrives, will be extraordinary.
Starting around the 2012/13 season, Borussia Dortmund (BVB) created waves in Europe with their young powerhouse players like Marco Reus, Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Ilkay Gündoğan, Mario Götze, and Robert Lewandowski. Reus was believed to be the next world star, potentially even dethroning Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in their ongoing soccer battle. He was that good. So good, in fact, that he landed on the cover of EA Sports's FIFA game that year, the only German player featured. However, fate had other plans or at least twists.
Injuries began plaguing Reus. His body, which once resided in the body of a pop star with a lama-like haircut, eventually morphed into a tragic figure. He tumbled from the iconic status, taking on the role of a melancholic hero as if leading the attach on the hopes and dreams of both the team and himself. People started noticing that he was not the leader they once thought him to be. He was a talented soccer player, but not a leader. He became the face of the debates plaguing the club's mental state.
There was a brief moment when time seemed to rewind. After winning against Paris, BVB welcomed FC Augsburg to the Bundesliga. Reus's performance was reminiscent of the glory days when he tore apart opponents with ease. The South Stand responded with a massive cheer, "11, Thank you Marco!" The outpouring of emotion didn't stop there. Reus hrmed his way to the stands, where tears began to flow. It was a heartbreaking farewell for any spectator watching him up close.
When Hummels and Reus reunited at Wembley Stadium, the memories and the emotions surged through the air. It hurt for both individuals but particularly when they relived the agony of defeat against Real Madrid. If only Bayern had won, that would have been somewhat satisfying. But that was not to be, as Los Blancos persevered. Some claimed that referee Szymon Marciniak had single-handedly handed victory over to the Spaniards. In the final moments of the match, he ruled against the Munich team, saying they were offside which would have brought the save for the game. The players from Bayern were inconsolable, while Real Madrid reveled. They had fulfilled another of their goals - winning their 15th title in the King's Class.
But Real Madrid is not just any team. They are a team that has become a legend. For more than a decade, they have earned the trust and admiration for their ability to pull off the unthinkable at any given time. Manchester City learned this hard way in 2021, where Real Madrid scored three stoppage-time goals to win the semi-final. And not long before, Bayern was left in awe, succumbing to the magic of Carlo Ancelotti's team. Their captain, Toni Kroos, embodied the team's spirit - the calmness of an elephant and the hunger of a Great White Shark hunting for its next meal. Kroos is bidding adieu to club soccer this summer, and his swan song would happen in one of soccer's most prestigious stadiums, Wembley. It doesn't seem like much, but for a player who left his mark on world soccer, it's something significant.
It wouldn't be clear when the best version of Toni Kroos was ever seen, but he was one of the best nonetheless. Entering the twilight of his career, he holds no resentment over past slights. He has well-lived his life, with no signs of physical stress or dental issues.
Germany was reminded of his prowess when he was called to the national team during a time when it appeared to be doomed to failure. The team nearly faded at the home European Championship, having not made a memorable impression in their previous matches. To salvage the situation, coach Julian Nagelsmann thought to bring back Kroos, the World Cup-winning midfielder from 2014. The team that year was missing Reus due to injuries, leaving Germany reeling in disbelief. Kroos' return boosted the strength of the team, helping them overcome France and defeat the Netherlands. Joining him on the field was another midfielder, Robert Andrich. Different from Kroos in every way, Andrich was a rebel and a terrier. But he also possessed decent tactical skills under Xabi Alonso's tutelage. Kroos, the world star, and Andrich, the teacup poodle of the team, stood toe-to-toe with the talents of Luka Modric and Casemiro, the maestro and the trash collector, respectively, of Los Blancos.
The derogatory nickname "lazy player" and "money-grabber" from former Bayern president Franz Hoesse didn't hit Kroos hard for long. He outshone Hoesse by adding the countless titles he earned with Real Madrid. He catapulted Germany to victory in the World Cup and again a few weeks ago at the European Championship. Kroos left Bayern with a bang, scoring in the final against Eintracht Frankfurt. In the end, he had the last words. And so ended the World Cup-winning playmaker's chapter in club soccer.
Currently, the midfield area for the renowned Kroos team features two promising newcomers - Aurélien Tchouaméni and Jude Bellingham. These young individuals exhibit incredible potential with their careers still ahead of them. Bellingham's story is particularly fascinating. He gained considerable maturity while at Borussia Dortmund, significantly transforming from a top talent into a crucial and dominant figure for the club. His departure last summer was a significant blow to the Black and Yellows, both due to the heartbreaking loss of the championship and the fact that he could not actively participate as he suffered from knee problems. The team could never properly recover from this.
Kroos halts his performance despite being exceptional and indispensable at Real Madrid, even being considered a legend there. He's now making a move because he desires to reach new heights in his career, instead of being pigeonholed as a footballer who should've retired earlier. Kroos possesses everything under his control. His on-field prowess is unmatched, as is his extensive career planning.
Born in Greifswald, Kroos has never been moved by public opinion or thoughts, particularly in his homeland. In Spain, however, he was well-loved. The farewell at Bernabeu garnered worldwide attention, as Kroos displayed emotions for the first time in years. This lack of accessibility to fans in Germany was attributed to his stoic demeanor, contrasting those like the talkative Lukas Podolski or the eccentric Thomas Müller, the eloquent Mats Hummels, or the kind Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Will he remain a world-class player?
Kroos' only significant "hero" moments occurred in the year 2022, following Real Madrid's Champions League victory against Liverpool. Emotions seemed to overwhelm him, prompting him to search for the correct words to express the magnitude of his latest King's Class title. A family man, he was finally able to share the moment with his loved ones. At ZDF, his interview didn't go well, with questions about Real Madrid's pressure. Kroos became enraged, lamenting the lack of thought put into constructing reasonable queries and visibly frustrated with being stereotyped as German. Kroos' outburst in frustration earned him the nicknames "Weißbier" - his beer moment - and "Eistonnen" - referring to his ice-cold demeanor.
As the late German footballing icon Kroos was celebrated through a Netflix documentary, this allowed him to establish more of a connection with the general public. The humorous podcast "Einfach mal luppen" with his brother Felix added to this closeness. Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti commented, "I hope he can still win the Champions League again," while also acknowledging that Kroos' career was set in stone. "But Toni Kroos' career doesn't need another Champions League victory to be remembered. He's already history." He has, along with Real Madrid, never lost a Champions League final (Kroos with five and Real with eight). Despite this, Kroos was included in the list of potential Ballon d'or candidates by Ancelotti.
Finally, at Wembley, Kroos, Hummels, and Reus reunite: a significant moment in German football history that concludes with a great triumph, fallen heroes, and certainly tears.
