Germany's players are putting their hands in their pockets to help 600 fans get to their final World Cup group game in New Jersey, and honestly, good on them. It's a proper classy gesture that comes on the back of widespread frustration about how expensive it has been for supporters to actually get around at this World Cup.
The cost of transport at the tournament has taken a fair bit of stick, and rightly so. Fans already spend a small fortune on flights, hotels, tickets and overpriced stadium hot dogs, so piling on hefty bus and train fares on top of that feels a bit much. The players have clearly been paying attention to what supporters have been going through, and they've decided to do something about it rather than just post a sympathetic message on Instagram.
Organising buses for 600 people is no small thing either. That takes actual effort and actual money, and it says a lot about the spirit inside that German squad. Whether they go deep into this tournament or not, moments like this are what fans remember. Nobody forgets when the people representing their country treat the supporters like they genuinely matter.
It also puts a bit of pressure on other nations, doesn't it? Players from wealthier squads across the tournament might want to have a quiet word with themselves when they see the Germans stepping up like this. You don't have to be German to appreciate what they've done here.
From a football perspective, Germany will want to make sure those 600 fans have something to actually celebrate once they get there. Going to the trouble of bussing supporters in and then putting in a flat performance would be a bit awkward for everyone involved. The team will know that, and hopefully it adds a little extra motivation to finish the group stage on a high.
Either way, this is one of those stories that reminds you why football means so much to so many people. It's not always about the money, even when, ironically, it very much is about the money.
Let me know your thoughts.