📚 Germany stars in children's book: how Tah and Raum inspire young fans | OneFootball

Week after week, they stand in the spotlight of the biggest stadiums, withstand the pressure of millions watching, and seem almost untouchable to many young aspiring footballers: professional players like Jonathan Tah and David Raum. But the path to the very top of the world is rarely a straight one. The role models of the national team also had to learn how to deal with setbacks, overcome fears, and show true character. That is exactly where an extraordinary children’s book project comes in, set to be released on September 20, 2026: “MUTICH! – Courage Has Many Faces.”

In this special work, the DFB stars offer deeply personal insights into their own youth and show young fans that self-doubt and setbacks are part of growing up. A joint project by the FLYERALARM Kids Foundation, Jupitermond Verlag, and the association Cancel Cancer e. V., the 120-page hardcover book brings together stories from a total of eight well-known personalities. Best of all: all proceeds go directly toward the fight against childhood cancer, providing support to exactly those who have to show incredible courage every single day.

Jonathan Tah: “A Very Special Victory”

At the heart of two especially moving chapters are German internationals Jonathan Tah and David Raum, who offer very personal glimpses into their own experiences.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2026 Getty Images

In his story “A Very Special Victory,” Jonathan Tah, center-back for FC Bayern Munich, addresses an issue that has accompanied him from his youth days at Altona 93 all the way to the international professional stage: racism. Tah describes what discriminatory situations feel like and why silently putting up with them is not an option. For him, solidarity means standing up together against injustice. In his story, he makes it clear that the real victory lies in listening to your own feelings and finding the courage to stand up for yourself and for others.

David Raum: “Pinching Thoughts and Rice Pudding Feelings”

RB Leipzig captain David Raum highlights a very different side of courage, but one that many children will recognize. In “Pinching Thoughts and Rice Pudding Feelings,” he takes readers back to his early days as a young footballer. Even then, football meant everything to him. That made it all the more painful for him to be stuck on the bench and only able to watch.

📸 Alexander Hassenstein - 2026 Getty Images

Raum openly describes how this phase unsettled him and the thoughts that troubled him. But instead of giving up, he experienced a change in mindset: he learned that true team spirit goes far beyond your own playing time. In his story, he emphasizes that sometimes you only surpass yourself when you start standing up for one another. Together, people are always stronger than alone.

A Book That Takes a Stand in Two Ways

Alongside the two DFB stars, six other personalities share their stories about friendship, dreams, and loss. By purchasing “MUTICH!”, parents and children are not only getting a valuable book about believing in yourself, but are also directly supporting the FLYERALARM Kids Foundation and Cancel Cancer e. V. in the fight against childhood cancer.

Book details:

Title: MUTICH! – Courage Has Many Faces

Release date: September 20, 2026

Length & format: 120 pages, hardcover, full color throughout

Price: €24.90 [DE]

Recommended age: Ages 6 and up

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Maja Hitij - 2025 Getty Images