Flashing Back: What Happened to the Champions of the 2014 World Cup?
Shocks for Hummels and Müller: such is the fate of the 2014 World Cup winners
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Can you still recall the euphoria of 2014, when the German football team claimed the World Cup title in Brazil? This summer, Mats Hummels - one of the Rio heroes - will hang up his boots, while Thomas Müller, his teammate, faces an uncertain future as he parts ways with long-time club, FC Bayern. Let's catch up with what these world champions are up to now.
The Original Starting Lineup
Manuel Neuer (39): Among the three 2014 World Cup winners who are still in the game, Neuer is the sole holder of a spot in the German national team. Recently, he extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2026. However, he's currently nursing injuries following an injury sustained in the Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Philipp Lahm (41): Although he's no longer playing, Lahm found a different post alongside the pitch. The 2014 captain served as the tournament director for the European Championship hosted in Germany and received both praise and criticism for the organizational hiccups throughout the event.
Jérôme Boateng (36): After a tumultuous career after Brazil, Boateng is now a regular player for Austrian first-division club Linzer ASK. Recently, the Munich public prosecutor's office discontinued the proceedings against Boateng, bringing an end to the allegations of violence.
Mats Hummels (36): Although delivering strong performances, Hummels was left out of the European Championship team. Since his move from Dortmund to AS Roma, he's often been relegated to the bench. This summer, Hummels plans to retire from professional football.
Benedikt Höwedes (37): Gelsenkirchen's patron, Höwedes enjoyed the prime years of his career with FC Schalke. He gained further attention through his involvement in the ARD documentary "We are World Champions," where he discussed his stress-induced hair loss during the 2014 World Cup.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (40): The retro-looking Schweinsteiger is now a popular TV expert on ARD, often partnering with Esther Sedlaczek, and appears on shows such as the recent one in Bielefeld. He's also a brand ambassador along with his wife, Ana Ivanovic.
Christoph Kramer (34): Known for his strong start as a substitute in the 2014 final, only to later knock himself out, Kramer has since focused more on writing books. Last summer, he didn't secure a new contract at Borussia Mönchengladbach and became a celebrated TV expert during the home European Championship alongside Per Mertesacker.
Toni Kroos (35): The Real Madrid icon's legendary career ended in dramatic fashion, with a quarter-final exit from the European Championship against Spain. Afterward, Kroos took a podcast break, organized the Icon League, a competitor of the Kings League and Baller League.
Thomas Müller (34): Müller has decided to put an end to his professional career at FC Bayern after 17 years. Despite his desire to continue playing, he won't receive a new contract. His departure has caused quite a stir, and Müller hasn't revealed his plans for the future yet.
Mesut Özil (36): From being a delicate technician on the pitch to a muscular gym enthusiast, bodybuilding has become Özil's new passion. He continues to maintain connections that add to his controversial reputation, as he serves on the board of Erdogan's party in Turkey.
Miroslav Klose (46): The record goalscorer during the World Cup is now coaching 1. FC Nürnberg, where he's been making progress in his first coaching role in German professional football. Klose and the "Club" still have a chance of promotion in the tight race of the 2. Bundesliga.
The Substitutes
Mario Götze (32): The scorer of the Rio final goal, Götze has revitalized his career with Eintracht Frankfurt. Recently, he's been delivering impressive displays and memorable goals, leaving Frankfurt fans hopeful that they might retain his services until 2026.
André Schürrle (34): Schürrle, who set up Götze's winning goal, retired at the age of 29, but he's since become a fitness influencer. He's taken to social media to encourage others to explore their own adventures, as he climbs some of the highest mountains and bathes in ice-cold water.
Per Mertesacker (40): The Ice Tray, who retired in 2018 after 7 years at Arsenal, has taken on a new role heading the club's youth academy. Mertesacker partnered with Kramer to offer insightful commentary during the home European Championship.
The Benchwarmers
Julian Draxler (31): The former Schalke player has taken several strange career detours. Now playing in the Qatari desert for Al-Ahli SC, Draxler faces injuries, a problem that has plagued his career.
Lukas Podolski (39): Despite retiring, Podolski remains involved in football. He's also engaged in several ventures such as his family-owned doner shops, ice cream stores, clothing lines, and a soccer hall.
Shkodran Mustafi (32): Mustafi is focusing mainly on youth coaching and offering his expertise as a TV commentator at Sky.
Sami Khedira (38): After retiring from professional football in 2021, Khedira has transitioned to a role as an active networker. He now runs a coffee brand and serves as a pundit on DAZN.
The Players Without World Cup Appearances
Roman Weidenfeller (44): After retiring from professional football, Weidenfeller has been keeping busy. He's appeared on television, supported the CDU, and recently endorsed Friedrich Merz.
Ron-Robert Zieler (36): The third goalkeeper didn't play in the 2014 World Cup but continues to play for Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga.
Kevin Großkreutz (36): Großkreutz's professional football career has come to an end but he's still playing football - as an amateur at SG Wacker Obercastrop.
Erik Durm (32): After an early end to his professional career, Durm continues playing football - for the SG Rieschweiler in the Palatinate region.
Matthias Ginter (31): Although he was one of the youngest players on the team during the 2018 World Cup, Ginter has established himself as a mainstay defenseman for SC Freiburg. A spot in the national team still seems distant.
What's former national coach Joachim Löw up to? Löw has stepped down from coaching since Euro 2020 and is looking for new challenges. He's made it clear that his ultimate goal is to coach a national team at the 2026 World Cup, and he doesn't feel ready for retirement yet.
In contrast to Mats Hummels and Thomas Müller, who are about to retire from professional football, the German football team's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer continues to play and recently extended his contract with Bayern Munich until 2026.
Despite hungering for more football, Thomas Müller, a World Cup champion, finds himself in an uncertain future as he parts ways with long-time club, FC Bayern, and hasn't revealed his plans for the future yet.
In 2024, Mats Hummels will officially hang up his boots, marking the end of an illustrious career that included the 2014 FIFA World Cup victory. Though they shared the joy of that triumph, Hummels and Müller will leave professional football at different times and paths.
