Football is played all over the world but Europe can confidently say that it is most successful here. It is a cultural asset in Europe, where it has been deeply rooted since it emerged in the mid-19th century in the wake of the labour movement. Europe’s clubs are unrivalled. And apart from Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, only European nations have been world champions. Ten countries from Europe have reached a World Cup final.
Twenty-four countries are taking part in Euro 2024. That may sound like a lot, but Sweden, runners-up at the 1958 World Cup, and Greece, European champions in 2004, have not qualified. The same goes for Norway with the Premier League stars Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. On the other hand, two world champions, Italy and Spain, will meet in the preliminary round and we will see a repeat of the 1954 World Cup final, Germany v Hungary. A European football championship remains the tournament with the greatest concentration of competition.
Franz Beckenbauer died in January. His talent was a gift. Nevertheless, he could not have become a football icon in China or Saudi Arabia, where football culture is lacking. But there is a football club in Beckenbauer’s neighbourhood of Giesing. There he met players with talent and had to assert himself against good opponents. You only become a great footballer by playing with others, only by competing with rivals. The best usually come from countries where self-determination and freedom count for a lot. Football is also class struggle.
Football is a popular sport. According to Fifa, 265 million people in the world play football. It takes a lot of people to keep the game going, from the Bambini to the old men or women. Youth coaches, instructors, secretaries … at my local club, someone runs across the pitch with a chalk trolley every Saturday, and the Bavarian Football Association has an office with the nice German word “Bezirksgeschäftsstellenleiter” (district manager). In Germany, millions of people take part of their own free will or for little pay. They do this in associations and clubs. Volunteers educate children and young people in these democratic institutions.
France is the country with the most talent. Kylian Mbappé’s dribbles reveal the origins of the game; he learned his skills as a child playing football without a textbook. I also appreciate Didier Deschamps’ leadership. For years, he has managed to mould individualists into a team. France have reached the World Cup final twice in a row. Sometimes the balance between freedom and order gets out of kilter, as was the case when they lost to Switzerland in the last 16 in 2021. Nevertheless, my top favourites for this Euros are France.
Fair play is priority but it’s also about competition
Football conveys values. But it is not peace, joy and pancakes (or love, peace and harmony). You can also see the negative developments in a society. Uefa and national associations such as the DFB are fighting against hate speech and racism on the internet. And on the pitch, you can draw strength from the thought: ‘Let’s show them!’ I was recently at a local league game in the village. There’s cheering and swearing. Afterwards in the clubhouse you wash down the anger together with beer (or water, if you like). Not a bad analogy for Europe.
Germany is currently discussing a survey according to which about a fifth of people would like to see more white players or are bothered by a captain who, like Ilkay Gündogan, has Turkish roots. That makes me sad. As a professional, I’ve learned that a football team that devalues certain players loses. Our sport is based on rules that everyone has to abide by and on cooperation. Success comes to those who do not limit the strengths of each individual but allow them to play off each other.
Differences enrich
England play differently to Italy, play differently to Croatia, play differently to the Czechs. How nice. At a national tournament, the different styles come to the fore. Germany are (or were) a “Turniermannschaft” (tournament team). They often wobble at the start, but once they have found their feet, they are difficult to beat. We don’t strategise like the Netherlands, Denmark or Portugal. We benefit from our infrastructure, ie the size of our country and our many footballers. Gareth Southgate recently stated that no other country had more players in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, namely 18. I’m confident that Germany will once again reach the final at their home tournament.
I’m excited about two new additions. Albania recently started accession negotiations with the EU and Georgia is fighting for its democracy and membership of Europe. Their teams will perform in Germany in such a way that as many of their compatriots as possible feel well represented. A European Championship is more than just business, it’s about identification.
after newsletter promotion
We want a second Sommermärchen
The Scots will transform my home city of Munich for the opening game. I can already hear their chants and bagpipes. When you think of the “Sommermärchen” (summer fairytale), you think of Germany flags. But 2006 wasn’t just black, red and gold, it was multicoloured. This time, yellow and blue will play a special role. At home, Ukraine is fighting for its freedom – and that of Europe. I am sure that their football team will experience a great deal of solidarity in the stadiums and on the streets over the next few weeks.
One goal can make you immortal
9 June 2006 was my day. The goal in the opening match against Costa Rica was my starting signal. I grew up near the stadium, my whole family was in the stands, before the game it wasn’t clear whether I would be allowed to play because I had a cuff on my arm. Then my shot flew in the triangle of the goal, a moment for the ages. I experienced the symbolism of that goal a year later in a township in South Africa. I set up a foundation there and the children couldn’t believe that I was standing on the pitch with them. For them, I was the boy who scored the goal.
Celebrating strengthens our bond
I share the concern that democracy is in danger. Apparently, many people have forgotten its advantages. I am encouraged by the demonstrations that millions of Germans took part in at the beginning of the year to preserve democracy. Now even more people will come together with a similar spirit at the big football party. Demonstrations and parties are two different things, but they can express the same thing: appreciation for our free way of life. A single tournament will not heal the world. But football must play its part in defending the achievements of democracy. Then the world will look happier for the next few weeks, and maybe some of it will even stick.
Geht’s naus und spuits! Go out and play!
Football is politics, undeniably. In my column, which has been published in more than 25 European countries for three years, I try to deal with social issues. But I share the longing for the pure game with billions of fans. Football is switching off, relaxing, exuberance. Blow the whistle at last!
Philipp Lahm is the tournament director for Euro 2024. His column was produced in partnership with Oliver Fritsch at Zeit Online, the German online magazine.