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German Chancellor's World Cup Praise Called a 'Mistake' by Sources
🇳🇴 Norway /Sports

German Chancellor's World Cup Praise Called a 'Mistake' by Sources

From Aftenposten · () Norwegian

Translated from Norwegian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • German Chancellor Friedrich Merz published a social media post praising the national soccer team after their World Cup exit.
  • Government sources claim the post was a "coordination error" and "deeply regrettable."
  • Merz faced widespread criticism and ridicule for the message, which many felt did not reflect the team's poor performance.

A social media post by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, intended to praise the national soccer team after their World Cup elimination, has been labeled a "mistake" by government sources.

Following Germany's 4-3 penalty shootout loss to Ecuador in the World Cup Round of 16, Merz published a message on social media expressing pride in the team's "dedication and team spirit" and stating they had "inspired the country."

Even though the exit hurts: What a match. With your dedication and team spirit in this World Cup, you have inspired our country. We are proud of you.

— Friedrich MerzMerz's initial social media post after Germany's World Cup exit.

However, the team's performance was widely criticized as weak, leading to immediate backlash against Merz's post. Users on social media questioned if Merz had watched the same match, with some publications accusing him of "embarrassing himself."

Merz is good at always cheering for a failure.

— Kirill DmitrievA Russian businessman's critical reaction to Merz's post.

Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, a German politician, reposted Merz's message, asking, "I don't know what was worse. The match or this analysis." The far-right AfD party also commented, suggesting Merz had become "so used to embellishing" the party's achievements that he "simply couldn't help himself."

Merz later posted again, reaffirming his support for the team and stating, "We celebrate success together. And we stand together in defeat. That is what makes us strong." He added that anyone who "wears the eagle on their chest deserves our support, not our ridicule."

I don't know what was worse. The match or this analysis.

— Marie-Agnes Strack-ZimmermannA German politician's critical response to Merz's post.

Sources close to the Chancellor told news agency DPA that the social media message was a "coordination error" and "unfortunately, very regrettable." The news agency Tagesspiegel first reported these details. Germany reached the knockout stages for the first time since 2014, having been eliminated in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022.

We celebrate success together. And we stand together in defeat. That is what makes us strong. All who wear the eagle on their chest deserve our support, not our ridicule.

— Friedrich MerzMerz's second social media post reaffirming support for the team.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Aftenposten in Norwegian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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