Nagelsmann responds: BVB star gets surprise Germany call-up | OneFootball

Following the withdrawal of Niclas Füllkrug, national coach Julian Nagelsmann has called up Maximilian Beier. The BVB striker thus gets a new chance in the national team.

National coach Julian Nagelsmann has to do without striker Niclas Füllkrug at the start of the 2026 World Cup qualification. The West Ham United attacker is struggling with muscular problems in his calf and is therefore out for both the match against Slovakia (September 4th) and the game against Northern Ireland (September 7th).

The former BVB star Füllkrug was on the bench at the start in Bratislava, but he was not able to play. "It's just a stupid spot in the calf with too much risk," Nagelsmann explained shortly before kick-off in the ARD-interview. There is no structural injury, it is a precautionary measure, the DFB announced.

As a reaction, the national coach has called up Maximilian Beier from Borussia Dortmund. The 22-year-old set off for the DFB team on Thursday evening. So far, Beier has been on the pitch four times for the A national team, most recently in September 2024 in the 2:2 draw against the Netherlands in the Nations League.

Four BVB stars in the DFB squad

This increases the number of Dortmund national players to four: In addition to Beier, Waldemar Anton, Karim Adeyemi and Pascal Groß are also part of the current squad. For the offensive player, who recently alternated between U21 appearances and non-considerations, this now offers a new opportunity to recommend himself in the circle of the national team.

In recent weeks, Beier has also been the subject of numerous transfer rumors. FC Brentford from the Premier League is said to have prepared a million-dollar offer. However, BVB sporting director Sebastian Kehl made it clear: "There was never an offer of this magnitude. Numbers are currently being thrown around, but this offer never existed. We have had discussions. This boy is totally committed to this club and will show this season that he continues on this path."

Meanwhile, Füllkrug joins a growing list of dropouts: Kai Havertz (Arsenal) and Tim Kleindienst (Gladbach) had already had to cancel. Jamal Musiala is also still working individually after a torn muscle bundle, while Leroy Sané was not even nominated.

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