Kai Havertz reflects on the whirlwind of emotions he experienced in Budapest a few weeks ago. Arsenal’s loss in the Champions League final was painfully dramatic, yet the only choice was to regain composure and embrace the moment. They were scheduled to embark on a bus tour around Islington for the Premier League trophy celebration the next day. Was this truly the time to revel in the admiration of countless fans?
“To be honest, it was tough,” admits Havertz, whose early goal against Paris Saint-Germain had seemed like it might secure victory for nearly an hour. “After the match, I initially thought we would call the whole thing off. By the next morning, things looked different.”
Ultimately, the vibrant celebration proved that the north London parade was indeed fitting. “We had a huge season behind us,” Havertz states. “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 possibly adding to that list.
Havertz is currently at Germany’s World Cup training camp in Winston, North Carolina, where a palpable sense of momentum is developing. For starters, Germany has lifted a significant weight off their shoulders. After being eliminated in the group stages in both 2018 and 2022, the team has now secured the top spot in Group E.
In one of those earlier exits, Havertz scored two goals against Costa Rica, but the team still did not advance. “Qatar was anything but successful for us as a team and for me personally,” he reflects. “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.”
At the Graylyn Estate, the impressive castle-like venue where Julian Nagelsmann’s team is based, there are no excessive celebrations following a commanding win against Curaçao and a last-minute victory over Côte d’Ivoire. However, Germany has attempted 42 shots in those games, and Havertz senses that enjoyment has returned to their play. “We radiate a real joy in playing,” he remarks. “We move a lot, play offensively and create scoring chances. And we bounce back after conceding goals.”
Havertz scored twice against Curaçao—a penalty and a deft late finish—maintaining an impressive scoring record with the national team. The 27-year-old forward has netted 24 goals in 60 appearances and is firmly established as Nagelsmann’s first-choice centre-forward, even though Deniz Undav, who came off the bench, made a significant impact in the Côte d’Ivoire match. Calls have been made for Undav to start against Ecuador on Thursday, which resonates with the perception that Havertz’s talents often go unnoticed in his home country.
“Probably because I don’t play in the Bundesliga,” he suggests. “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!”
Perhaps Havertz himself embodies an unconventional approach. He is a distinctive player, blending movement, tactical insight, and timing, with a quiet yet effective ruthlessness. “Defenders should never know where I am, where I’m going, what I’m planning, or where I’ll be at any given moment,” he explains during an interview arranged in collaboration with Die Zeit. “That’s the worst for them. I try to be like a ghost to defenders.”
This selflessness has made him a favorite among managers. Mikel Arteta, in particular, frequently praises Havertz. “I can’t just wait around in the penalty area, I need to be involved,” he asserts. “I also make runs which I know sometimes look pointless, but I’m creating space for the players coming up behind me.”
Despite his knack for decisive finishing, Havertz has often been seen as adaptable. He started as a winger and primarily played in midfield until Peter Bosz began using him as a striker at Bayer Leverkusen. There was even a friendly against Turkey in 2023 where Nagelsmann assigned him to left-back, and he still managed to score within five minutes. “If he were to ask me to do it again, I would,” Havertz insists.
An unpretentious demeanor might sometimes be mistaken for indifference, yet Havertz is simply focused on his responsibilities. “I’m aware of the debates that I’m too laid back or my body language is wrong,” he notes. “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..” Still, he admits nerves can creep in. “I know it doesn’t show from the outside, but I feel it,” he states. “Before a Champions League final, or at a World Cup. Or before penalties. I need that tension to stay focused.”
Pure instinct may prove crucial for Germany as they pursue their first World Cup title since 2014. This possibility remains, even amidst a buildup filled with uncertainty and the looming challenge of a last-16 encounter against France. Havertz is fit and has rebounded from a season that began with knee surgery. “The last year and a half has gone badly for me,” he admits, referencing prior injuries that make his contributions to Arsenal even more impressive. The desire to overcome past frustrations is strong.
Havertz was part of the Germany squad that narrowly lost to Spain in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024, and he senses an even more intense atmosphere in North America. “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 mentions he hasn’t yet felt desperate for a drink during games, perhaps due to Germany’s manageable conditions in Toronto and the air-conditioned venue in Houston. He does not favor Fifa’s so-called hydration breaks. “They’re usually annoying, especially when you’ve just had two or three good situations and feel your flow is being interrupted,” he comments. “At 17, you don’t think you need school any more,”
More significantly, he is eager to influence Germany’s success. When he was 17 and on the brink of stardom at Leverkusen, Havertz contemplated leaving school to skip the Abitur, Germany’s university entrance exam. However, a staff member at his club advised him against it, viewing it as a critical test of determination. “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.” 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 serve him well in a successful World Cup run and a more harmonious victory parade.
