Courage in football: How much courage can you see in the lilies?

Courage in football: How much courage can you see in the lilies?

December 6, 2025 in Cologne not only brings an Advent atmosphere, but also interesting discussions about a central theme of life: courage. This is particularly evident in current football reporting, where the term courage plays an important role. After the Lilies' most recent cup game against SC Freiburg, numerous questions and comments were raised that focused on the topic of courage. The exchange brings to light that courage is of great importance for many people in a wide variety of situations, whether in sport or in everyday life.

But what exactly do we mean by courage? Courage or daring describes it Lexicon, is the ability to put yourself in unsafe or dangerous situations. This definition is deeply rooted in history and has evolved over many generations. The word originally meant something like “sense” or “power of thought” in Indo-European and was celebrated in the High Middle Ages as the virtue of the noble knight who dedicated his life to fighting injustice.

Courage in football

Courage is often discussed in football, especially when it comes to the way teams play and perform. Expressions like “courageous style of play” or “despondent appearance” are omnipresent. These terms reflect not only the tactics but also the mental attitude of the players. After the game against Freiburg, many experts noted that “courage was missing” in terms of the players and the message of the game. It seems as if in football courage is not just a quality, but a basic requirement for success.

Again Duden explains, courage is the ability to overcome fear in dangerous or risky situations. This comes into play not only in sports, but also in our daily lives. Whether it's about political decisions or personal challenges, showing courage is often required. Courage requires determination and is often associated with disadvantages for oneself. In many situations, fear and courage have a tense relationship with one another.

The path to more courage

Another aspect of courage is that it can be learned. It is important to remember that courage is a key skill for personal and social development. Historical examples, such as Shakespeare's speeches of encouragement, illustrate the power that can come from courage. Immanuel Kant emphasized the need for courage for enlightenment and overcoming passivity. This is also true in education, where encouragement is a key component in motivating children and helping them make courageous decisions.

In summary, it can be seen that courage is expressed in many facets - be it in the code of honor of a knight, in sport or in education. An encouraging word, a courageous appearance or simply plucking up courage are essential components of a self-determined life. So the question remains: Where do you need a bit more courage in your life today? Maybe the next time you want to take a bold step, you'll realize that courage isn't so far away.