Footballers love a good practical joke. Pranks run rampant and are a big part of locker room culture.
Youth team players and new signings are often targeted for initiation, having to sing or dance for the group, and personal belongings are hidden or destroyed at the owner’s expense. The behaviour is expected, in some cases encouraged, and retribution always follows. No one gets mad, they just get even.
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Bayern Munich triggered a controversial 37 million euro buy-out clause in Mario Götze’s contract last month, making way for the ultimate prank. Imagine the Borussia Dortmund playmaker waking into his first day of pre-season training wearing his Champions League winner’s medal, or his new teammates serenading the newbie by greeting him in the same manor. The question of who will be the butt-end of the joke following summer holidays is going to be answered this Saturday in the all-German Champions League final in London.
Unfortunately, the Bavarian-born attacking midfielder has been ruled out of the final due to a hamstring injury suffered in the semifinal second leg against Real Madrid last month. Despite his best efforts in training, a reoccurrence of the original injury has forced Götze to watch from the stands, leaving Dortmund without the services of their best player.
All jokes aside, the Götze transfer and his participation in the match would have added a little more sizzle to an already much anticipated final at Wembley Stadium. Reports out of the Dortmund camp earlier in the week were positive that the most expensive German player of all-time would be on the field in some capacity on Saturday. Sadly, it was not to be.
A growing majority of club supporters rather Götze miss out as some sort of punishment for his defection, preferring to win or lose without him. The resentment runs incredibly deep. Even semi-fit, Götze’s presence would have provided Dortmund with their best chance at claiming a second Champions League crown, 16 years after its memorable upset of Juventus in Munich.
It’s always going to be difficult for fans to comprehend and come to terms with Götze’s perceived betrayal. The fiery reaction to his imminent departure to a bitter rival has provoked online shirt burnings and banners being displayed inside the Westfalenstadion which read “Piss Off, Götze.” The backlash has been so intense that Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp felt forced to make an official statement appealing for calm soon after the transfer was announced. It hasn’t worked. Götze has needed police escorts to training, while fans also whistle and jeer his every touch of the ball. Even Götze’s family members have been targeted with “traitor” taunts within the city.
If you’re under the impression money was the key factor in Götze’s decision to trade Dortmund yellow for Munich red, you’d be wrong. Sure, a wage increase was an added incentive, but the defining factor was the chance to play for Pep Guardiola. Had Bayern decided against pulling the rug from under current manager Jupp Heynckes, practically forcing the 68 year-old into retirement, the Götze deal would have never happened.
The internet was abuzz with conspiracy theories well before confirmation of Götze’s absence, one more ridiculous than the next. Claims of a secret handshake between both clubs garnered the most attention despite its absurdity. Every kid dreams of one day contesting a Champions League final, because its the pinnacle of club football. No player would agree to terms that might jeopardize their chances of competing in possibly a once in a lifetime match. Talk of Götze feigning injury or Dortmund earning compensation from Bayern to keep him off the Wembley pitch were misguided and quite farcical.
Those conspiracy rumours will now only pick up steam given the current situation.
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Truth is, as much as coaches used to preach teamwork, football is much more for the individual nowadays. Like any job, sometimes a change of scenery provides an enticing challenge, in addition to a better income. Imagine an entire city on your back for deciding to switch employers. Götze might be bred in Dortmund, rising through the ranks and taking a leading role of ushering in a new era of success. But it’s inconceivable to expect any player in the current football climate to be a one-club man. The days of Ryan Giggs and Jamie Carragher are over.
In this specific situation, Götze didn’t make matters easier for himself. A move outside the Bundesliga would have produced an entirely different reaction.
Is it too far-fetched for supporters to be slightly appreciative, and grateful for all his contributions? Apparently so.
Sometimes football can break your heart.