Kai Havertz vividly remembers the whirlwind of emotions he experienced in Budapest three-and-a-half weeks ago. Arsenal’s loss in the Champions League final was an agonizing defeat, yet the only option left was to pick himself up and embrace the moment. With a Premier League trophy parade scheduled for 2 PM the next day, he questioned whether it was appropriate to bask in the admiration of countless fans.
“To be honest, it was tough,” Havertz shares, reflecting on his early goal against Paris Saint-Germain, which had seemed like the potential match-winner for nearly an hour. “After the match, I initially thought we would call the whole thing off. By the next morning, things looked different.”
The vibrant celebration that followed proved to be well-deserved. “We had a huge season behind us,” Havertz notes. “The club had gone 22 years without a league title so that had to be celebrated properly with the fans. I have to say I’ve never experienced anything like it. So many people on the streets, so many supporting us. It ranks among my top three experiences as a professional.” Now, he is focused on adding to that list.
Currently, Havertz is situated at Germany’s World Cup training facility in Winston, North Carolina, where a renewed sense of energy is palpable. The team has shed some of the pressure from previous group stage exits in 2018 and 2022 and has already secured the top spot in Group E.
Despite scoring twice against Costa Rica in the previous tournament, the team still faced elimination. “Qatar was anything but successful for us as a team and for me personally,” he admits. “There’s a different energy in our squad now. I was quickly convinced that things would go better this year. We knew we had a duty not to fail early on again. We are Germany. But now the tournament is really just beginning.”
While there’s no exuberance at the Graylyn Estate, the impressive venue where Julian Nagelsmann’s squad is based, Germany has shown promise with a commanding victory over Curaçao and a late win against Côte d’Ivoire. Havertz feels that the joy of playing has returned, noting, “We radiate a real joy in playing,”
Havertz scored twice against Curaçao, including a penalty and a skillfully placed late finish, maintaining an impressive scoring rate with the national team. With 24 goals from 60 caps, he has established himself as Nagelsmann’s first-choice center-forward, despite Deniz Undav’s impactful performance in the Côte d’Ivoire match. There’s a sense that Havertz’s talents often go unnoticed back home. “We move a lot, play offensively and create scoring chances. And we bounce back after conceding goals.” he explains. “Probably because I don’t play in the Bundesliga,”
Perhaps it’s Havertz’s own unconventional approach that sets him apart. He describes himself as a unique player, combining movement, tactical insight, and timing, with a subtle, yet effective, ruthlessness. “It was the same at times with Toni Kroos and Ilkay Gündogan, who were abroad for years. It is often said about me: ‘Havertz didn’t score again, he’s useless!’. And when I do score, they say: “Well, he’s supposed to, it’s about time!” he states during an interview arranged with Die Zeit. “Defenders should never know where I am, where I’m going, what I’m planning, or where I’ll be at any given moment,”
This selflessness has made him a coveted asset for managers. Mikel Arteta, in particular, often praises Havertz. “That’s the worst for them. I try to be like a ghost to defenders.” he says. “I can’t just wait around in the penalty area, I need to be involved,”
Havertz’s versatility has allowed him to adapt his playstyle, transitioning from a winger to a midfield role before taking on the center-forward position at Bayer Leverkusen. He recalls a friendly match in 2023 where Nagelsmann even deployed him as a left-back, a position he managed to excel in, scoring within minutes. “I also make runs which I know sometimes look pointless, but I’m creating space for the players coming up behind me.” he insists.
His calm demeanor can be misinterpreted as a lack of urgency, but Havertz is focused and determined. “If he were to ask me to do it again, I would,” he admits. “I’m aware of the debates that I’m too laid back or my body language is wrong,” Yet, he acknowledges that nerves can still creep in. “That always comes up when I’m not playing well. But I’m not the sort of person who dwells on it too much. It used to be different. I don’t brood on things any more..” he confesses. “I know it doesn’t show from the outside, but I feel it,”
Instinct may be a crucial factor in helping Germany secure their first World Cup title since 2014. This potential cannot be overlooked, despite a buildup filled with uncertainties as they prepare for a last-16 clash with France. Havertz, who has recovered from knee surgery that derailed parts of his season, is eager to leave past frustrations behind. “Before a Champions League final, or at a World Cup. Or before penalties. I need that tension to stay focused.” he reflects on the challenges of injuries that also impacted his time at Arsenal. The determination to overcome these obstacles is palpable.
Having participated in the Germany team that narrowly lost to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, he senses an even more intense atmosphere in North America. “The last year and a half has gone badly for me,”
So far, Havertz hasn’t felt the need for a drink mid-game, likely due to the manageable temperatures in Toronto and the air-conditioned arena in Houston. He’s not a supporter of FIFA’s hydration breaks. “The atmosphere is amazing. I was really excited before the Euros in Germany, too. A World Cup is even bigger. There’s incredible energy in the stadiums.” he says. “They’re usually annoying, especially when you’ve just had two or three good situations and feel your flow is being interrupted,”
What he can control is his role in shaping Germany’s future. At 17, as he was on the brink of stardom at Leverkusen, he contemplated leaving school to pursue football full-time. A staff member at his club advised against this, viewing it as a critical test of resilience. “At 17, you don’t think you need school any more,” he reflects. “At that age, you also don’t think about injuries or how things can suddenly take a completely different turn. It was a life lesson for me: seeing things through to the end instead of just quitting.”
Perhaps that mindset will guide him and Germany toward a successful World Cup campaign and a triumphant victory tour.
