National player Robin Gosens critically assesses certain developments in professional football.
“I see myself as someone who sometimes thinks outside the box. Football in general is currently on a very dangerous path that is not necessarily healthy,” said the 29-year-old to the editorial network Germany in response to a question about the 2030 World Cup to take place in six countries, and a possible World Cup in Saudi Arabia. “More and more money, more and more commerce. Personally, I want sport to be in the foreground and not degenerate into business. Unfortunately, we may have to come to terms with that to some extent.”
The 2030 World Cup is scheduled to begin with three games in South America and then be played in Morocco, Spain and Portugal. The decision still has to be confirmed by the Congress of the world association FIFA.
supply and demand
Gosens emphasized that one could argue about whether salaries in football were proportionate. “But ultimately it’s about supply and demand,” said the 1. FC Union Berlin full-back. “We are very fortunate to be playing in the world’s most popular sport, which means there is a lot of money involved, which also affects our contracts. I don’t think I have to apologize for that.”
He understands when someone who can barely support their family complains about the salaries in football. “But I find it difficult when mental problems are downplayed and people demand that you have to endure everything because you earn a lot of money,” said Gosens. “Then the argument doesn’t work because I can’t go to the pharmacy with money, buy two pills and everything will be fine again.”
The German national team will meet the host USA in Hartford in the evening (9 p.m./RTL). Next Wednesday (2 a.m./ARD) Mexico will be the opponent in Philadelphia.
