WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 28: Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of Germany looks on during a team Germany training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Winston-Salem State University on June 28, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
(Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Getty ImagesIf you ask Gary Lineker how he feels about this version of the German national team, he will not pull any punches — just ask L’Equipe.
“I think that this is one of the weakest Germany sides I’ve ever seen.
Germany has, indeed, scuffled, but does the squad have an ire that it can leverage when it sees comments like this?
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WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 28: Julian Nagelsmann, Head Coach of Germany looks on during a team Germany training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Winston-Salem State University on June 28, 2026 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
If you ask Gary Lineker how he feels about this version of the German national team, he will not pull any punches — just ask L’Equipe.
The French publication queried Lineker about the possibility of a Germany vs. France game in the Round of 16 and the 65-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur and FC Barcelona star whipped out his blowtorch and took it straight to Die Mannschaft.
“I think that this is one of the weakest Germany sides I’ve ever seen. France should reach the quarter-finals without any trouble. Germany are living off their past. Just remember that they didn’t even make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups. So I think you can all sleep easy,” Lineker said with a laugh (as captured by @iMiaSanMia).
Lineker’s sentiments echo many others out there. Germany has, indeed, scuffled, but does the squad have an ire that it can leverage when it sees comments like this? Would Julian Nagelsmann use the thoughts of all the doubters to get this squad motivated?
If he does, he should have plenty to choose from, including this one above from Lineker.
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