Before his return to the DFB team, Mario Götze shone with a dream template – but the Rio hero didn’t want to talk about his upcoming World Cup adventure.
When Mario Götze fought his way out of the Mainz Arena on his way to his desert adventure, the good wishes never ended. A pat on the back here, a few words of praise there – it seemed as if the whole of football Germany was feverishly awaiting the return of the hero from Rio de Janeiro. The final goalscorer from 2014 just didn’t want to speak shortly before his arrival with the DFB team at the Hilton Airport Hotel in Frankfurt.
Götze said nothing. And this despite the fact that the offensive star from Eintracht Frankfurt had prepared the equalizer in the game at FSV Mainz 05 (1: 1) with one of those “flashes of thought” that national coach Hansi Flick is also hoping for in Qatar. The 30-year-old once again showed his class ahead of his comeback in the national team camp after five agonizingly long years.
“A dream pass,” enthused Eintracht captain Sebastian Rode on the “DAZN” microphone, looking at the scene in the 67th minute in which Götze put the ball down with a spectacular pass. Randal Kolo Muani was suddenly free in front of the goal – and pushed in. “Played beautifully,” praised national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp.
Flick ennobles “brilliant footballer” Götze
In many actions, Götze also showed in Mainz why he is back in the DFB squad for the first time since November 2017 – in time for the World Cup. The 63-time national player is “a brilliant footballer who has flashes of inspiration, who does everything intuitively,” said Flick, the gifted technician could “give the team one or two surprises”.
They have long been convinced of that in Frankfurt. The World Cup nomination is “the logical consequence, he deserves it”. After all, Götze is “currently the best attacking midfielder in the Bundesliga – by far,” said SBU sports director Markus Krösche. “He will be able to play a big role in the World Cup.”
Exactly what that will be is still open. One thing is clear: not only the people of Frankfurt, but also Flick and the German fans are hoping for a special moment again. Like Joachim Löw, who whispered to Götze when he came on: “Show the world that you’re better than Messi!”
Götze fights back via Eindhoven and Frankfurt
Götze’s career seemed to be over after unfortunate years at Bayern and Dortmund with illnesses, injuries and bank space. He fought his way back in Eindhoven and is really thriving on the Main. Like on July 13, 2014 in Rio, when he shot an entire country into a frenzy of joy.
“He’s in excellent shape and in top form. In this condition he can of course help any team,” praised Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. After difficult years with many low blows, Götze is back on top and so strong that there could be a new World Cup fairy tale in Qatar.