In this series, BFW looks back at all the members of the 2014 World Cup-winning Germany men’s national team — players and coaches — reflecting on their performance back then and checking in on where they are today. Today, we have Christoph Kramer.
Christoph Kramer’s role in 2014
Kramer arrived in Brazil as a reserve defensive midfielder but unexpectedly found himself in the starting lineup for the World Cup final when Sami Khedira suffered an injury during warmups. The final became one of the most memorable moments of his career.
After a heavy collision with Ezequiel Garay, Kramer suffered a concussion and was visibly disoriented. He was substituted after 31 minutes, but Germany went on to win the match and lift the trophy.
Although he played only a limited role during the tournament, his story became one of the defining memories of the 2014 final because of the unusual circumstances surrounding his appearance.
What is Christoph Kramer doing now?
Kramer retired from professional football in 2024 after spending much of his career with Borussia Mönchengladbach. Since retiring, he has become one of Germany’s most recognizable television analysts, appearing regularly on major broadcasts covering the Bundesliga, Champions League, and German national team. He has also developed a reputation for being one of the more thoughtful and articulate former players in German football media.
Among Germany’s 2014 World Cup winners, Kramer has arguably made the smoothest transition from player to television personality, becoming a prominent voice in discussions about the national team and the future of German football.
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