I still remember the day I left home as a 15-year-old to achieve my dream of becoming a professional
footballer. From one day to the next, it felt like everything | knew was turned upside down. Although I
always had the dream of becoming a professional footballer, my parents and grandparents always imparted a
sense of reality to me and still supported me in my dream with all their devotion each and every day. At
that time, I would never have thought that I would realise my dream by playing for Bayer 04 Leverkusen,
Chelsea FC, FC Arsenal and the German national team.
"In all this, gratitude and humility have always helped me to process these experiences and to reflect on my
own life."
Every encounter with teammates and opponents from different nations, my trips to countries far away and
conversations with the people there have opened my eyes to the world beyond the football pitch early in my
career. I know that I live a privileged life and that's another reason why it's important for me to give
back early on and help make tomorrow better than today.
At the youth training centre, we were already taught basic social values and a responsibility for each other
and others through sport. Football is and remains a team sport. You win together, you lose together.
Weaknesses can be compensated as a team.
The 2021 flood disaster in my home region and the surrounding areas has once again made me realise that I
need to do more. Not only in the moments of great need, but on an ongoing and structured basis.
With my charity, I want to change my perspective and invest my time and energy away from the football pitch
and the 90 minutes at the weekend to make my contribution to society. In doing so, it is particularly
important to me to support vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and to strengthen community solidarity.
- Kai Havertz
"With my charity, I want to change my perspective and invest my time and energy away from the football pitch
and the 90 minutes at the weekend to make my contribution to society."
