Germany will take on Paraguay in the last-32 stage of the 2026 World Cup on Monday as they fight for a place in the Round of 16 following their shock defeat to Ecuador last time out.
Havertz, who grabbed a brace in the 7-1 thrashing of debutants Curacao, helped his nation secure the top spot in Group E as they proved many doubters wrong.
One of those doubters is Lineker who spoke ahead of the game, ripping into Germany who he believes simply aren’t good enough.
“I think that this is one of the weakest Germany sides I’ve ever seen,’ the ex-England captain and former Match of the Day host told French outlet L’Equipe.
“France should reach the quarter-finals without any trouble. Germany are living off their past.
“Just remember that they didn’t even make it out of the group stage at the last two World Cups. So I think you can all sleep easy.”
Havertz responds
Despite such comments, Havertz was unfazed and could not care less about what Lineker had to say about a Germany side who are locked into to their next game.
"Everyone can have their own opinion. I have no problem with that,’ the 27-year-old said.
"I didn’t even read what he said. At a tournament like this, a lot of people start talking about you. I don’t think anyone is really listening to that.
"We already have many pundits in our country. And if people from other countries start talking as well, then that’s enough at some point.
"It’s easy for people to criticise from outside. I’m not interested in that at all."
The last time Germany faced Paraguay in the last-16 stage of the 2002 World Cup, they picked up a 1-0 victory courtesy of a late effort from Oliver Neuville, a result they make seek to replicate and prove Lineker wrong.