Deniz Undav says he was pleased to hear Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp back his inclusion in Germany’s XI, even as coach Julian Nagelsmann is expected to stick with his stance on Jamal Musiala for the World Cup opener against Curaçao on Sunday.
Germany’s World Cup opener against Curaçao on Sunday is still taking shape on the training field, and Deniz Undav knows exactly what the question sounds like: will he start, or will he watch from the bench?
Undav, the VfB Stuttgart goal scorer, says he is “likely to be on the bench” for the match—but he didn’t ignore the noise around it. He heard Thomas Müller and Jürgen Klopp’s commentary urging that he should start over Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala, and he reacted with a calm kind of gratitude.
“First of all, I was very pleased. That shows I’m doing something right. The coach has many options. In the end, it doesn’t matter who starts. You can rely on those who will play. But I was happy to hear that from the two of them. And now we’ll see who plays,” Undav said.
He also made it clear how much weight he gives to football people who know the game from the inside. “I think it’s good because Thomas knows a lot about football. If he has something to criticize or praise, then it’s probably well-founded. I’m happy when someone like Thomas criticizes or praises me. If he criticizes me. then of course he does it with a good intention. so that I can do better next time. Therefore: No matter what Thomas says, he’s entitled to it.”.
The tone is measured, but the underlying message is sharp: even if he doesn’t start this time, he’s listening—and he’s not letting public opinions rattle him.
What he can’t control is the one decision that matters most for Sunday: Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s selection. Undav responded as smoothly and directly as he could, but Nagelsmann has been known to be sensitive at times. That sensitivity is now part of the backdrop to a situation where prominent football voices are pushing for a change.
Bild already reported that the manager will not change his mind on Musiala and will “ride the hot hand of Undav.”
Against Curaçao, it may not matter who begins the match. But tougher games are ahead, and the selection debate—who gets the first whistle, and who earns it through form—sits right at the heart of what comes next for Germany.
Deniz Undav Thomas Müller Jürgen Klopp Julian Nagelsmann Jamal Musiala Germany Curaçao World Cup opener VfB Stuttgart Bayern Munich