Moukoko ‘overhelmed’ by World Cup call-up, agony for Reus and Hummels
Youssoufa Moukoko is “unbelievably happy and overwhelmed” to have become Germany’s youngest ever World Cup nominee while there was nothing but agony for his Borussia Dortmund team-mates Marco Reus and Mats Hummels who both missed the cut.
Moukoko has been in fine form with six Bundesliga goals this season as he on Thursday became part of Hansi flick’s squad for the November 20-December 18 tournament in Qatar as one of two uncapped players, the other being Werder Bremen striker Niclas füllkrug.
No German World Cup player has been younger than Moukoko who turns 18 on the day of the opening match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador next week sunday.
It is the latest age record for the player who made his Bundesliga debut two years ago the day after his 16th birthday and also became the youngest man to play in the Champions League and score a Bundesliga goal within the next four weeks. another record came in last weekend when he became the youngest Bundesliga player to reach 10 goals.
The big talent has gone through the German junior national teams up to the under-21, and has now broken into the senior squad after returning to form following a long period of nagging injuries and doubts because of little playing time.
“I just can’t believe it - this time last year I felt like I was still out of the picture, struggling with many injuries and little playing time,” he said in an emotional Instagram post.
“still, I tried to stay positive and believe in myself. I knew what I could achieve and now just to be at a World Cup, a goal that players dream about their whole career, makes me incredibly proud. all the hard work has paid off and I am just incredibly happy and overwhelmed.”
Moukoko also thanked his family, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic and his team-mates there.
flick praised Moukoko, saying he was “fast, lively, has a good finish” and added said he was “looking forward” to working with him and füllkrug who got his first nomination after an impressive 10 Bundesliga goals for Bremen.
But there was bitter disappointment for Reus over missing another big event owing to an ankle injury, following the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016; and for 2014 World Cup winner Hummels who was not chosen because flick prefers younger defenders.
“a big dream of mine has unfortunately come to an end,” Reus said on the Dortmund website. “Everyone involved has tried everything possible in the last few days to make my participation in the World Cup possible after all.
However, with my damaged ankle, it was not enough for the World Cup.” Hummels spoke of “one of the biggest disappointments in my career” but like Reus wished the team all the best.
flick said “it simply hurts us” to be without Reus and “we will miss him” while Hummels was left behind despite “outstanding form” because “we are looking at the future” and decided in favour of younger players.
German squad: Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Defenders: Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Christian Günter (Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham United), Lukas Klostermann (rB Leipzig), David raum (rB Leipzig), Antonio rüdiger (real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders and forwards: Karim Adeyemi (Borussia Dortmund), Julian Brandt (Borussia Dortmund), Niclas Füllkrug (Werder Bremen), Serge Gnabry (Bayern Munich), Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich), Mario Götze (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ilkay Gündogan (Manchester City), Kai Havertz (Chelsea), Jonas Hofmann (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Youssoufa Moukoko (Borussia Dortmund), Thomas Müller (Bayern Munich), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich).