Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2018™

Lahm: "Transmitiremos el orgullo a los próximos campeones"

Philipp Lahm of Germany holds the FIFA World Cup Trophy — © Getty Images

Lahm levantó el trofeo en Maracaná en 2014
El domingo lo llevará hasta el césped antes del partido
Analiza la decepcionante actuación alemana en Rusia

En Brasil 2014, Philipp Lahm se convirtió en el primer capitán alemán en 24 años en levantar el trofeo de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA y, de este modo, pasó a ser uno de los futbolistas más laureados de la historia: títulos de Liga y Copa de Alemania, la Liga de Campeones de la UEFA, la Copa Mundial de Clubes de la FIFA o la propia Copa Mundial de la FIFA...

Muy pocos jugadores pueden presumir de semejante palmarés. Sin embargo, el lateral anunció su retirada de la Mannschaft tras el triunfo en 2014 y, en 2017, colgó definitivamente las botas a los 34 años.

Pero Lahm volverá a estar el próximo domingo 15 de julio en el epicentro del fútbol mundial. Será el encargado de llevar el Trofeo original de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA al césped del estadio Luzhnikí de Moscú.

"Yo transmitiré el orgullo que ha tenido el fútbol alemán durante cuatro años. Para nosotros, y para Alemania, será un acto nostálgico, pero, al mismo tiempo, un aliciente para volver a ganar este trofeo", afirma Lahm, 113 veces internacional con Alemania, en su entrevista con FIFA.com.

Hablamos con él en la antesala del choque decisivo entre Francia y Croacia, de su ilusión por reencontrarse con el trofeo, así como del amargo adiós de los vigentes campeones.

Será el encargado de llevar el trofeo al césped del Luzhnikí. ¿Cuáles son sus sensaciones?

Lo haré en representación de la selección alemana y de Alemania. Transmitiremos el orgullo que ha tenido durante cuatro años nuestro país, que celebró de una manera muy especial proclamarse campeón del mundo. Le transmitiremos nuestro orgullo a los próximos campeones.

¿Qué se le pasará por la cabeza cuando tenga el trofeo entre las manos?

Será un momento extraordinario, porque es el original. También porque uno apenas lo tiene unos segundos entre sus manos y, como capitán, no puedo evitar acordarme de todos aquellos futbolistas que también lo ganaron y que, posteriormente, lo entregaron: los capitanes alemanes Fritz Walter, Franz Beckenbauer y Lothar Matthaeus, o capitanes de otras selecciones como Bobby Moore, Carlos Alberto, Daniel Passarella, Dino Zoff, Diego Maradona, Carlos Dunga, Didier Deschamps, Cafú, Fabio Cannavaro e Iker Casillas.

¿Qué recuerdos le vienen a la mente cuando piensa en Brasil 2014?

El pitido final del árbitro en el último partido. Los minutos más largos de mi vida como futbolista fueron entre el gol Mario Goetze y el pitido final. Recuerdo que solo pensaba: '¡Por favor, por favor, que pite de una vez!' También me acuerdo de que, en los últimos instantes, Lionel Messi tiró una falta por encima del larguero. Después, Manuel Neuer sacó de portería y se acabó. Esos últimos minutos, y la hora o las dos horas posteriores, son siempre lo primero que me viene a la cabeza.

¿Quién cree que levantará el trofeo el próximo domingo?

Primero tienen que jugar el partido, y no quiero aventurarme con ningún pronóstico. Puedo imaginarme perfectamente a Hugo Lloris haciendo lo propio, y lo que significaría para Francia y, sobre todo, para los jugadores, seguir los pasos de la generación de Deschamps y Zidane. Y lo mismo ocurre con Luka Modric y Croacia, que jugará la final de una Copa Mundial de la FIFA por primera vez en su historia.

Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy

05 may. 2017

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates during the award ceremony after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany is presented with the World Cup trophy by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter

13 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany is presented with the World Cup trophy by Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates

14 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates during the award ceremony after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Friedemann Vogel - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany celebrates in the Germany dressing room

14 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany (C) celebrates in the Germany dressing room after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates

14 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany lifts the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates during the award ceremony after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Germany's defender Philipp Lahm (front) holds the World Cup

15 jul. 2014

Germany's defender Philipp Lahm (front) holds the World Cup as he and Germany's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (2ndR) get off their airplane at Berlin airport Tegel on July 15, 2014, as they arrive from Brazil after they won the FIFA World Cup 2014. The team comes to Berlin for a victory parade at landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game .AFP PHOTO / ADAM BERRY

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Philipp Lahm of Germany speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

18 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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German national football team's defender Philipp Lahm (C) holds the trophy

18 jul. 2014

German national football team's defender Philipp Lahm (C) holds the trophy as he and Germany's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) get off the airplane at Berlin airport Tegel on July 15, 2014, as they arrive from Brazil after they won the FIFA World Cup 2014. The team comes to Berlin for a victory parade at landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game .AFP PHOTO / POOL / KARINA HESSLAND

© AFP
Philipp Lahm of Germany holds the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates Thomas Mueller (L) and Roman Weidenfeller (R)

17 jul. 2014

Philipp Lahm of Germany holds the World Cup trophy to celebrate with his teammates Thomas Mueller (L) and Roman Weidenfeller (R) after the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
The shirts worn by Philipp Lahm of Germany are displayed in the dressing room

13 jul. 2014

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: The shirts worn by Philipp Lahm of Germany are displayed in the dressing room prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Lars Baron - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany gestures to team mates

22 ene. 2015

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany gestures to team mates during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group D match between Germany and Australia at Durban Stadium on June 13, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait

13 ene. 2014

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at the Park Hyatt hotel on January 13, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany and Bayern Munich poses for a portrait

14 ene. 2014

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany and Bayern Munich poses for a portrait prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at the Park Hyatt hotel on January 13, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Mike Hewitt - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Muenchen celebrates

10 mar. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 09: Philipp Lahm of Muenchen celebrates the winning goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Fortuna Duesseldorf 1895 at Allianz Arena on March 9, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany speaks to the media during a press conference

22 ene. 2015

APPIANO SULLA STRADA DEL VINO, ITALY - MAY 31: Philipp Lahm of Germany speaks to the media during a press conference at Sportzone Rungg on May 31, 2010 in Appiano sulla Strada del Vino, Italy. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Josep Guardiola, head coach of FC Bayern Muenchen talks to his player Philipp Lahm during a training session

05 jul. 2013

ARCO, ITALY - JULY 05: Josep Guardiola, head coach of FC Bayern Muenchen talks to his player Philipp Lahm during a training session at Campo Sportivo on July 5, 2013 in Arco, Italy. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany poses in front of an oversized model of the official world cup ball Jabulani

31 may. 2010

APPIANO SULLA STRADA DEL VINO, ITALY - MAY 31: Philipp Lahm of Germany poses in front of an oversized model of the official world cup ball Jabulani after a press conference at Sportzone Rungg on May 31, 2010 in Appiano sulla Strada del Vino, Italy. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Germany's defender Philipp Lahm leaves a press conference

21 ene. 2015

Germany's defender Philipp Lahm leaves a press conference at the Velmore hotel in Erasmia near Pretoria July 1, 2010. Germany will play their quarter final match against Argentina on July 3, 2010 in Cape town. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

© AFP
(L-R) Piotr Trochowski, Arne Friedrich and Philipp Lahm of Germany

26 ene. 2015

(L-R) Piotr Trochowski, Arne Friedrich and Philipp Lahm of Germany walk down the tunnel ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Semi Final match between Germany and Spain at Durban Stadium on July 7, 2010 in Durban, South Africa.

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Philipp Lahm of Germany leads his team down the tunnel

21 ene. 2015

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 03: Philipp Lahm of Germany leads his team down the tunnel ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Quarter Final match between Argentina and Germany at Green Point Stadium on July 3, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Paul Gilham - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany is pictured

31 may. 2011

Philipp Lahm of Germany is pictured

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of the German national football team attends a sponsoring shooting

30 ene. 2012

MUNICH, GERMANY - JANUARY 30: Philipp Lahm of the German national football team attends a sponsoring shooting during the DFB Marketing Days on January 30, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Tobias Kuberski-Pool/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany

16 mar. 2012

PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA - JUNE 18: Philipp Lahm of Germany in action during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group D match between Germany and Serbia at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on June 18, 2010 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany smiles

13 jun. 2012

KHARKOV, UKRAINE - JUNE 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany smiles during the UEFA EURO 2012 group B match between Netherlands and Germany at Metalist Stadium on June 13, 2012 in Kharkov, Ukraine. (Photo by Joern Pollex/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany reads

12 sep. 2012

HANOVER, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 07: Philipp Lahm of Germany reads prior to the FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier group C match between Germany and Faeroe Islands at AWD Arena on September 7, 2012 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm (L) olf FC Bayern Muenchen attends with his team mate Thomas Mueller the Oktoberfest beer festival

16 oct. 2012

MUNICH, GERMANY - OCTOBER 07: Philipp Lahm (L) olf FC Bayern Muenchen attends with his team mate Thomas Mueller the Oktoberfest beer festival at the Kaefer Wiesnschaenke tent on October 7, 2012 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Thomas Niedermueller/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Claudio Marchisio of Juventus and Philipp Lahm of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball

02 abr. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 02: Claudio Marchisio of Juventus and Philipp Lahm of FC Bayern Muenchen battle for the ball during the UEFA Champions League quarter final first leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Juventus at Allianz Arena on April 2, 2013 in Munich, Germany.

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Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen gestures

24 abr. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - APRIL 23: Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen gestures during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Barcelona at Allianz Arena on April 23, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Muenchen

20 may. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - MAY 14: Philipp Lahm of Muenchen speaks during a press conference during the UEFA Champions League Finalist Media Day at Allianz Arena on May 14, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Bayern Munich's defender Philipp Lahm celebrates with a beer

08 jun. 2013

Bayern Munich's defender Philipp Lahm celebrates with a beer after they won the final football match of the German Cup (DFB - Pokal) FC Bayern Munich vs VfB Stuttgart on June 1, 2013 in Berlin. Champions League winners Bayern Munich became the first Bundesliga champion to win the treble after their hard-earned 3-2 win over plucky VfB Stuttgart in Saturday's German Cup final. AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE

© AFP
Philipp Lahm (L) and head coach Joachim Loew (R) talks during the German National Football Team (DFB) trainings session

13 ago. 2013

MAINZ, GERMANY - AUGUST 12: Philipp Lahm (L) and head coach Joachim Loew (R) talks during the German National Football Team (DFB) trainings session at Coface Arena on August 12, 2013 in Mainz, Germany. The team prepares for the friendly match against Paraguay on wednesday in Kaiserslautern. The training session is open to spectators. (Photo by Thorsten Wagner/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of FC Bayern Muenchen arrives

24 jul. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - JULY 23: Philipp Lahm of FC Bayern Muenchen arrives for a team presentation at Allianz Arena on July 23, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany attends a press conference

05 sep. 2013

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 05: Philipp Lahm of Germany attends a press conference ahead of their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Austria, at the Mercedes Benz Center on September 5, 2013 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Lennart Preiss/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany looks on

03 dic. 2013

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15: Philipp Lahm of Germany looks on before the International Friendly match between Italy and Germany at San Siro Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen is interviewed

19 dic. 2013

AGADIR, MOROCCO - DECEMBER 17: Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen is interviewed after the FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final match between Guangzhou Evergrande FC and Bayern Muenchen at the Agadir Stadium on December 17, 2013 in Agadir, Morocco. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm smiles during a Bayern Muenchen press conference

20 dic. 2013

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - DECEMBER 20: Philipp Lahm smiles during a Bayern Muenchen press conference ahaed of the FIFA Club World Cup Final against Raja Casablanca at Marrakech Stadium on December 20, 2013 in Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munchen with the Silver Award

21 dic. 2013

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - DECEMBER 21: Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munchen with the Silver Award after the FIFA Club World Cup Final match between FC Bayern Munchen and Raja Casablanca at the Marrakech Stadium on December 21, 2013 in Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munchen receives the FIFA Club World Cup winners badge

21 dic. 2013

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - DECEMBER 21: Philipp Lahm of Bayern Munchen receives the FIFA Club World Cup winners badge from FIFA after the FIFA Club World Cup Final match between FC Bayern Munchen and Raja Casablanca at the Marrakech Stadium on December 21, 2013 in Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by Julian Finney - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm the captain of FC Bayern Munchen receives the FIFA Fair Play Trophy

22 dic. 2013

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO - DECEMBER 21: Philipp Lahm the captain of FC Bayern Munchen receives the FIFA Fair Play Trophy on behalf of the team after victory in the FIFA Club World Cup Final between FC Bayern Munchen and Raja Casablanca at Marrakech Stadium on December 21, 2013 in Marrakech, Morocco. (Photo by Alex Livesey - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen and wife Claudia Lahm

13 ene. 2014

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 13: Philipp Lahm of Bayern Muenchen and wife Claudia Lahm arrive during the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013at the Kongresshalle on January 13, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait

14 ene. 2014

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at the Park Hyatt hotel on January 13, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait

14 ene. 2014

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - JANUARY 13: Philipp Lahm of Germany poses for a portrait prior to the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala 2013 at the Park Hyatt hotel on January 13, 2014 in Zurich, Switzerland. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

© Getty Images
Philipp Lahm of Germany runs with the ball

04 mar. 2014

MILAN, ITALY - NOVEMBER 15: Philipp Lahm of Germany runs with the ball during the International Friendly match between Italy and Germany at San Siro Stadium on November 15, 2013 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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¿Le sorprende que las cuatro selecciones semifinalistas sean europeas?

Sí que me sorprende un poco, porque uno siempre espera ver combinados sudamericanos entre los cuatro mejores. En Sudamérica, ya sea en Brasil, Argentina o Uruguay, siempre salen jugadores con mucho talento. En Europa tenemos las mejores infraestructuras, las ligas de Alemania, Inglaterra, España, Italia y Francia son las más fuertes económicamente y las más atractivas. Aquí juegan los mejores futbolistas, la competencia es máxima, y eso fortalece a las selecciones de nuestro continente, algo de lo que también se benefician países pequeños como Bélgica y Croacia.

¿Y qué opina del rendimiento de la selección alemana?

La composición y la construcción de una selección que aspira a proclamarse campeona de Europa y del mundo siempre requiere de un proceso. Es una pequeña obra de arte. Y lo que vimos de Alemania no lo fue, desde luego. En cualquier caso, estoy convencido de que Alemania posee la fuerza necesaria para renovarse y formar una nueva generación que vuelva a dar validez a la célebre frase de Gary Lineker: “El fútbol es un deporte muy sencillo: 22 tipos corren detrás de un balón durante 90 minutos y, al final, siempre gana Alemania”.

¿Con qué palabras se despedirá del trofeo en el estadio Luznhiki?

Yo transmitiré el orgullo que ha tenido el fútbol alemán durante cuatro años. El orgullo pasará después a los nuevos campeones, y esa imagen está cargada de simbolismo en el mundo del fútbol. Para nosotros, y para Alemania, será un acto nostálgico, pero, al mismo tiempo, un aliciente para volver a ganar este trofeo. De ahí podemos sacar las fuerzas necesarias para la próxima Copa Mundial y para nuestra candidatura para albergar la Eurocopa de la UEFA 2024, porque podríamos volver a disfrutar de una gran fiesta del fútbol.