The President of the World Football Federation (FIFA) Gianni Infantino praised German football for the overall image it has and described it as a role model worldwide, BTA reported.
In an unscripted speech on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the founding of the German Football Association (GFA) at a gala evening in Leipzig, Infantino said: "Germany has done so much for football! Germany has brilliantly organized so many major tournaments, created so many legends".
And he continued that the GFA has done what FIFA strives for in its main path: "To unite the world in the same way that Germany created a spirit of unification". He then added that "the sports world always looks to Germany, from which there is always something new to learn".
The relationship between the German Football Association and the Swiss, who took over FIFA from Sepp Blatter, has long been considered quite tense and strained.
Just before the start of the 2022 World Cup, German football bosses criticized FIFA for its lack of attitude towards the constantly violated human rights in the host country Qatar.
Then, when he was re-elected as president of the World Headquarters, Germany's vote was not for him. The awarding of the hosting of the 2034 World Cup to Saudi Arabia, for which Infantino actively and tirelessly lobbied, was also not supported by Germany.
Infantino arrived at the celebration of German football directly from the United States, where he was a guest at the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has entered his second term. In meetings after the ceremony, Infantino thanked the US president for his support for the World Cup, which will be held throughout North America next year.
In December, he attended anniversaries of the football federations of Bulgaria and Poland.