Cacau
At the 2006 Football World Cup and at many other major sporting events, Stuttgart showed that the city and its population are excellent hosts. I'm glad that the UEFA EURO 2024 will take place in Stuttgart. I want to be there, right in the thick of it when fans from many countries come to us. That's why I'm involved as an ambassador.
Cacau is a footballer and someone who finds a lot of strength in his faith. Despite all his successes, he has always remained friendly, socially engaged and simply human.
The 41-year-old has been known as Cacau since he was a child. As a little boy, he always sang "Cacaudemir" instead of his given name Claudemir at his birthday party and from that day on, his mum affectionately referred to him only as Cacau.
He came to Germany at the age of 18. From the regional league club SV Türk Gücü München, he went to 1. FC Nürnberg and then to VfB Stuttgart. From 2003 to 2014, he was one of VfB's most popular strikers and celebrated the German championship win with the team in 2007. Cacau made 263 appearances and scored 80 goals, not only in the Bundesliga, but also internationally in the Champions League, the UEFA Cup and the Euroleague.
After being naturalised in 2009, he became a German international and finished third with the German national team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. By 2012, he had played in 23 international matches and scored six goals.
From 2016 to 2021, Cacau worked for the German Football Association (DFB) as an integration officer. Together with his family, Cacau lives in the Stuttgart region, which has become his adopted home.
Interview
Why does the UEFA EURO 2024 belong in Stuttgart?
Stuttgart is a city with a great sporting history, with the many major events that have taken place here. That's why a European Championship without Stuttgart would be inconceivable - and the people here are really looking forward to it.
Which sporting events in Stuttgart are you thinking of in particular?
I would name two. Firstly, of course, the 2006 World Cup, the summer fairytale, with our victory in the match for third place against Portugal. Germany played a tournament that inspired everyone. And a year later, there was an event here in Stuttgart that I think got football fans from the region even more excited. And I was part of it. (smiles mischievously) That was the German championship with VfB Stuttgart in 2007, when there were more than 200,000 people on the streets of Stuttgart and everyone was celebrating. It was easy to see how attached people here are to sport and, above all, to football.
You know many other football metropolises. What does Stuttgart have to offer - especially in view of the UEFA EURO 2024?
Stuttgart is not only a great city, as it also has a very beautiful surrounding area: the many vineyards, the castles, the hiking trails and viewpoints. This combination of big city and nature makes Stuttgart something very special.
How would you describe the people who live in and around Stuttgart?
Reserved, down-to-earth - and very enthusiastic.
You have experienced the football culture here. You played as a striker for VfB Stuttgart for a decade.
The fans in Stuttgart really love football. And they are very passionate about their sport and their club.
You're an ambassador for Host City Stuttgart. What does this city mean to you personally?
In the 21 years that I have lived here, Stuttgart has become my home.
What else should fans coming to Stuttgart during UEFA EURO 2024 experience and enjoy besides football? Do you have any personal tips?
Well, you should definitely visit the two fantastic car museums. After all, Stuttgart is a car city and you can experience that up close here. I can also recommend the excellent wines, which should be tasted directly from the producers in the region. And for me, the great gastronomy is also an important part of Stuttgart's quality of life.
You are the father of three children. Do you have any tips on what families can do in Stuttgart?
We love going to Wilhelma. This combination of zoo and botanical garden is not just for children, but really for the whole family. I also really like the Höhenpark on the Killesberg. The observation tower there offers a great view over the city.
Back to the sporting side of things: which nation are you most looking forward to seeing at UEFA EURO 2024 in Stuttgart?
I find the Belgians and their coach Domenico Tedesco very interesting. He lived here in the region for a long time and has Swabian roots, so to speak. And his co-trainer Andreas Hinkel also knows his way around here very well. He has spent most of his career at VfB Stuttgart. And what's more: Belgium simply plays great football.
And who will be European champion?
Well, Germany of course. At least I hope so.
#VEREINTFÜRSTUTTGART (#UNITEDFORSTUTTGART)
At the 2006 World Cup and at many other major sporting events, Stuttgart showed that the city and its population are excellent hosts. I'm glad that the UEFA EURO 2024 will take place in Stuttgart. I want to be there, right in the thick of it when fans from many countries come to us.
That's why I'm involved as an ambassador."
"As an artistic gymnast, I'm naturally super sporty and a sports enthusiast. I'm also a football enthusiast and, as an ambassador for UEFA EURO 2024 in Stuttgart, I'm the perfect link between all sports, such as gymnastics and football. I also love it when people come together. Football, and therefore UEFA EURO 2024, is predestined for this."
„"As an ambassador for Host City Stuttgart, I want to inspire people through the joy and positive topics associated with football. Great sporting moments win new blood for the sport. As an ambassador, I see it as my role to use UEFA EURO 2024 to motivate people in my own country and even in my own city to take part in sport and learn the values of sport.“
