MUNICH (AP) – Germany midfielder Leon Goretzka said U.S. President Donald Trump “succeeded in making us feel not only German, but European.”
In an interview with Die Zeit newspaper published Wednesday, Goretzka, who plays club soccer for Bayern Munich, spoke about the World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and suggested Germany and other European teams would be favorites to win.
“Other teams have caught up, but we are still ahead of every continent in the most important game in the world,” Goretzka said. “Europe will not be left behind and will show everyone what is happening on the field.”
The countdown to the tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, has prompted calls for a boycott. Oke Getrich, president of Bundesliga side St. Pauli and one of the German federation’s 10 vice-presidents, said last week: “The time has come.” seriously think about this and discuss it”
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter also participated. on monday.
“I understand there are political discussions,” Goretzka said. “Still, I’m hopeful that it will be a great tournament. This tournament will help improve soccer and convince many people that it’s a great game.”
Germany was drawn in Group E of the World Cup with Ivory Coast, Curaçao and Ecuador.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
