Assan’s whirlwind call-up – and Raum’s audition as a press officer? | OneFootball

This was no routine pre-tournament press conference. Assan Ouédraogo looked back on the phone call that took him from a sun lounger in Marbella to Germany’s World Cup squad, David Raum was jokingly tipped for a future role as a press officer – and Julian Nagelsmann’s tattoo bet was also discussed too.

Speaking at Germany’s tournament base in Winston-Salem, the two Leipzig players were relaxed, engaging and clearly ready for what lies ahead.

From poolside to the World Cup squad

Assan’s story was the highlight of the press conference. The 20-year-old explained how he was away on holiday with friends, relaxing by the pool, when Julian Nagelsmann suddenly called.

A few minutes later, everything had changed. He had gone from switching off after the season to preparing for a World Cup. “It all happened incredibly quickly,” Assan explained. His joy and excitement were obvious down the phone – so obvious that Nagelsmann jokingly asked whether he’d been drinking.

He obviously hadn't been – he was just completely overwhelmed.

His sister was the first to pick up

Once the call was over, Assan wanted to share the news with his family straight away. His mother did not answer. Neither did his father. On the third attempt, he finally got through to his older sister.

Even then, it took a moment. When Assan told her he had been called up, she did not believe him at first. Given the circumstances, it is easy to see why: one minute he was by the pool in Marbella, the next he was on his way to Germany’s World Cup base in the USA.

A South Africa tour with the Red Bulls, a few days off in Marbella, a call from the Germany coach and then a flight across the Atlantic. If the last few days have been a lot to take in, Assan was not about to use that as an excuse. “I’m still sharp,” he made clear. Before heading to North America, he just had to make one quick stop in Leipzig to pick up his boots.

Assan on the best year of his career

Assan’s World Cup call-up caps a season full of big moments. It has not all been straightforward, but his verdict is clear.

“There have been a lot of highs and lows, but it has been the best year of my career so far. I played a lot, especially at the start of the season. Then came the biggest moment so far, with my first cap and my first goal for Germany in Leipzig. After the injury, I managed to get back in time,” Ouédraogo told the reporters in attendance.

Raum as a future press officer?

David was just as assured in front of the media and kept the mood light. Our captain answered the questions with his usual calm, thoughtful manner – so calmly, in fact, that Germany press officer Franziska Wülle jokingly suggested he might have found a job for after his playing career.

Asked about his Leipzig teammate, who is eight years younger than him, the 28-year-old was full of praise: “Assan is a really respectful young man. He leads by example on the pitch and helped us in Leipzig get back into the Champions League. He has real quality and is important for us.”

David heard about the late call-up from one of the staff at Cottaweg: “One of our fitness coaches in Leipzig told me. He wrote: ‘Assan, unbelievable!’ with heart-eyes emojis – and that was when I realised.”

Raumi messaged Assan straight away, and he did not have to wait long for a reply: “Assan got back to me in what felt like five seconds. It’s a great feeling to have him here with us now.”

David also gave a calm assessment of the competition with Nathaniel Brown at left-back: “Nene is doing really well. We are two very different types of player.”

After a few minor fitness issues towards the end of the season, David is feeling sharper again. For him, though, the team comes first: “A tournament like this is long, and I’ll give everything whether I start or come off the bench. We have two strong options for this position, so Julian is spoilt for choice.”

David laughs off tattoo talk

David also had the room laughing when the tattoo bet with Julian Nagelsmann came up again. He admitted he has heard the question more than enough times by now, but still gave a professional answer: “If we win the title, I’m sure I’ll find room for another tattoo. For Julian, it would be his first. He’d probably be a lot more nervous if it actually happened,” he said with a grin, before adding: “But if he needs me to, I’ll hold his hand.”

Until then, David joked, the Germany coach can “try a few out first” in the latest issue of Bravo Sport, which includes 11 of his original tattoos as stick-on designs.

There were plenty of laughs, but Assan and David also made clear how much they are looking forward to the tournament. The talking is done now – next comes the football.

Discover more

Fixtures Red Bull Arena Men's first team Tickets Fan zone