'World Cup is the ultimate stage': German legend Oliver Kahn hails football's greatest showpiece

German football icon and former Golden Ball winner Oliver Kahn believes that despite the massive commercial value and popularity of club competitions, the FIFA World Cup remains the ultimate peak of the sport.The legendary former Bayern Munich goalkeeper noted that the quadrennial showpiece holds an unparalleled charm, extracting extraordinary talent and intense emotions from every corner of the globe.“The FIFA World Cup is the ultimate stage in football, a tournament that inspires millions and creates moments that become part of sporting history. Every edition brings together extraordinary talent, passion, and emotion, making it one of the most captivating events in global sport," Kahn told Zee5.

The former Germany captain expressed great satisfaction with the rapid growth of football in India. He stated that he is incredibly excited to share his technical insights with fans after joining the Zee5 expert commentary panel for the ongoing World Cup."I am delighted to join Zee5 and Unite8 Sports as part of the expert panel and look forward to sharing my insights with fans across India," Kahn added. "The growth of football in the country has been remarkable, and it is exciting to be part of bringing the tournament experience even closer to audiences.”

Kahn shares a long-standing, emotional bond with Indian football enthusiasts. He famously visited the country in 2008 to play his official Bayern Munich testimonial match against Mohun Bagan in front of a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. He returned to India in 2023 to interact with students, fans, and stakeholders to discuss grassroots development.A Footballing TitanKahn represented Germany from 1995 to 2006, earning 86 international caps.

He famously skippered his country to the final of the 2002 FIFA World Cup. His astonishing performances during that tournament saw him become the only goalkeeper in history to win the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player.Following his playing days, Kahn has remained a highly influential global voice as a club executive, author, and elite analyst. He brings sharp tactical nuance to a star-studded Zee5 commentary panel that also features Indian legends Bhaichung Bhutia, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, and former national coach Igor Stimac.