Dubai: Former Germany midfielder Dietmar Hamann said he would be ‘very surprised’ if Die Mannschaft defended their title at this summer’s World Cup in Russia.
Joachim Loew led the side to their fourth World Cup win in Brazil four years ago by beating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in the final, it followed previous victories in 1954, 1974 and 1990.
No side has reclaimed the title since Italy (1934, 1938) and Brazil (1958, 1962) and Hamann, who played almost 60 times for his country from 1997 to 2005, reaching the World Cup final before losing to Brazil in 2002, said he didn’t think Germany were about to change that.
“With the personnel we’ve got I think in depth we may be better than four years ago, but I don’t think the first 11 are better,” he told Gulf News, during his appearance at the DHL Swing Against Cancer Golf Series event at Jumeirah Golf Estates on Thursday.
“There are a few positions I’m really worried about and I’d be very surprised if Germany were able to defend the title,” added the former Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester City player.
“In Miroslav Klose, Philipp Lahm and Per Mertesacker, they lost 300 caps after the last World Cup and there are some talented kids coming through now but they are yet to prove their class.
“We’ve seen it in the Champions League, the cream rises to the top and the World Cup is a unique tournament, sometimes people get found out there.”
So who does Hamann think will win the World Cup?
“We played Brazil a few weeks ago (lost 1-0 at home) and Spain were probably the better side against us (drew 1-1 at home). You shouldn’t read too much into friendlies but I think Spain and Brazil.
“And then the way that Argentina qualified, because they needed to beat Ecuador in the last game of South American qualifiers to get in. They went 1-0 down after two minutes and Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick and won that game.
“Sometimes when you have a close shave and qualify like that and with it also possibly being Messi’s last World Cup, I wouldn’t rule Argentina out either.”
