Argentina never give up as Germany lack identity, says legend Sammer

Matthias Sammer has delivered a scathing assessment of Germany’s 2026 World Cup campaign, claiming the national team has lost both its technical and mental identity while praising the relentless character of reigning champions Argentina.

The former Germany international and Ballon d’Or winner told Sky Sport Germany that he no longer recognises a clear footballing profile in the Mannschaft, contrasting it sharply with what he sees from Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina.

“Argentina were the holders of the World Cup, and yet we allowed ourselves to underestimate this team,” Sammer said, criticising the broader approach to the South American side during the tournament.

Germany’s 2026 World Cup ended in the round of 32, where they were knocked out on penalties by Paraguay after a 1-1 draw across normal time and extra time. The early exit extended a period of underachievement at major tournaments and intensified scrutiny of the team’s direction and mentality.

Argentina’s mentality praised

Sammer reserved particular admiration for Argentina’s competitive edge and refusal to yield, even while stressing his disapproval of some of their behaviour in the showpiece match against Spain.

“Argentina are one of those national teams that never give up,” he said. “Of course you cannot agree with the way they behaved after the final whistle (against Spain in the final), but that is part of their identity. I like their style of play more than what I currently see from the German national team.”

The former Borussia Dortmund star highlighted Argentina’s on-pitch character as a defining trait that continues to set them apart at the highest level, underlining the contrast with Germany’s current performances in all phases of play.

Germany “redefines the meaning of impotence”

Sammer’s most severe criticism was directed at Germany’s lack of clarity, both with the ball and in their mental approach. Without singling out individuals, he painted a bleak picture of a side adrift tactically and psychologically.

“As for the Germany team, I can no longer identify anything in them, neither from a technical perspective nor from a mental one,” he said. “It gives you a reason to redefine the meaning of impotence.”

His remarks reflect growing concern in German football circles that the national team, once renowned for resilience, structure and tournament know-how, has lost the core attributes that used to underpin its success.

Germany’s defeat to Paraguay on penalties in the last 32 – after failing to turn superiority into victory during 120 minutes – has been seen by critics as emblematic of that decline, exposing frailties in goalkeeping, build-up play, creativity in attack and defensive organisation.

Sammer’s comments come at a time when every department of the German side is being scrutinised, from their ability to protect the goal and dominate possession to their attacking patterns, playmaking and defensive solidity. The manner of their World Cup exit has intensified calls for a fundamental reassessment of the team’s identity and long-term strategy, both on and off the pitch.

While Sammer emphasised his admiration for Argentina’s unyielding spirit and clear footballing identity, his verdict on Germany underlined a belief that the four-time world champions are now struggling to meet their own historic standards, technically and mentally, on the global stage.