This 2010 file photo shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel celebrating after a goal at the World Cup in South Africa. (AP-Yonhap)
BERLIN (AP) ― Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to the World Cup final in Brazil, giving Germany’s most prominent fan perhaps her best chance yet to watch the team lift a trophy after eight years of very public support.
Merkel has become a frequent sight at Germany matches since the country hosted the World Cup in 2006, a few months after she took office ― and a regular visitor to the team’s dressing room. Tuesday’s stunning 7-1 demolition of Brazil put Germany into the final for the first time since 2002, setting the scene for Merkel’s second appearance at this World Cup.
“I think it almost deserves the name ‘historic,’ and now I can only say that I wish the team lots of strength and concentration for the task that remains ahead,” Merkel said Wednesday. The government said she will travel with President Joachim Gauck to Rio de Janeiro for Sunday’s final against Argentina.
A manipulated image of Rio’s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue replaced by a pantsuit-clad Merkel, arms aloft in celebration, started circulating on social media as Germany took apart the Brazilian team.
Merkel’s celebrations appear to have helped endear the 59-year-old chancellor, who otherwise is rarely given to public displays of emotion, to German voters over the years.