🚨 When a lack of error culture and covert racism oppose the principle of meritocracy: Germany and the case of Antonio Rüdiger

In recent days, we witnessed Antonio Rüdiger’s heated outburst during the Copa del Rey final—a moment of lost composure for which he immediately apologized. What followed, however, was an exaggerated and unjust reaction: Former national players like Mario Basler and Didi Hamann called for his exclusion from the national team (both far from saints themselves, with countless scandals in their past).

🔍 This disproportionate outrage shows that this isn’t just about misconduct in sports. It reveals a deeper issue: the persistent, covert racism in Germany.
Antonio Rüdiger embodies something many in Germany still struggle to accept:
➡️ A Black, Muslim footballer from a disadvantaged Berlin neighborhood,
➡️ who refuses to conform,
➡️ and whose fighting spirit propelled him to the very top.
❓ Why is Rüdiger’s lapse judged so differently than those of others?
❓ Why does such hatred flood social media comment sections?

The answer is uncomfortable: Background and identity still distort perception. Merit often only counts when it fits a certain mold. This phenomenon isn’t limited to football: Many people with immigrant backgrounds report that their mistakes are scrutinized more harshly while their successes are downplayed. Instead of focusing fully on their work, they spend excessive energy trying to « not stand out »—afraid that even the smallest misstep will be held against them twice as hard.

The fact is: Germany can no longer afford to lose talent because of such prejudices.
What we need:
✅ A genuine culture of accountability,
✅ and the courage to confront our structural racism honestly.

👉🏿 Because one thing is clear: Germany will not survive in the future without the strength and diversity of its entire population—not in sports, not in the economy, and not as a society.

It’s time for change. Now.