Bundesliga

2022-11-11T06:45:00Z

Götze, Moukoko and Füllkrug make Germany World Cup squad

Heading for the World Cup (l-r): Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Mario Götze, Youssoufa Moukoko and Niclas Füllkrug were all named in Germany's squad for the tournament.
Heading for the World Cup (l-r): Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, Mario Götze, Youssoufa Moukoko and Niclas Füllkrug were all named in Germany's squad for the tournament.

Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Mario Götze has been included in Germany's squad for this month's FIFA World Cup, while Borussia Dortmund and Werder Bremen strikers Youssoufa Moukoko and Niclas Füllkrug earned their first call-ups.

Götze famously scored the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final against Argentina but - with illness and injury hampering his career - he earned the last of his 63 caps for his country in 2017.

The 30-year-old returned to Germany with UEFA Europa League holders Eintracht this season, and he has helped the Eagles to the top four in the Bundesliga as well as to qualify for the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

>>> Click here for the full list of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 players going to the World Cup

That form was rewarded when Flick - who was Germany's assistant manager when they last won the World Cup eight years ago - named Götze in the squad he will take to Qatar this month.

"Mario is a brilliant footballer - you can see in the last few matches that he's performing at a very high level," said Flick after revealing his 26-man squad on Thursday.

"You can see in every game that he's in great shape and he can go three times a week for 90 minutes. He's simply a brilliant player and a great person."

Füllkrug and Moukoko have both been in super form this term, and they were called up to compensate for injured attackers Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) and Lukas Nmecha (Wolfsburg).

Watch: See what Götze has brought to Eintracht Frankfurt

Füllkrug stuck 19 times in Bundesliga 2 last season as Werder Bremen earned promotion and the 29-year-old has been exceptional on his return to the top flight with 10 goals in 13 matches.

"Niclas has 10 goals and has momentum on his side," said Flick. "I spoke with [Werder Bremen coach] Ole Werner for a long time about what he can bring to the team.

"You can see from the goals that he's working hard. The feedback I got from Ole is that he's someone who's constantly working on himself to try and get better."

Moukoko, meanwhile, has six goals and three assists for Dortmund, with the 17-year-old netting both a winner in the Revierderby against Schalke and in a 2-2 draw with Bayern Munich.

The Germany U21 cap has become a regular starter for his team this season as a result of his performances, with his double against Bochum last weekend making him the youngest ever player to reach 10 Bundesliga goals.

"His development has been good," Flick explained. "He brings a lot to a team. He's quick and lively, and he scored two great goals at the weekend. We're looking forward to working with him."

Flick also took time to express sympathy for Dortmund captain Marco Reus, who will miss yet another major tournament for his country due to an ankle problem.

"I've often said how I much I appreciate him," the former Bayern coach said. "We'll miss his talent in the final third. He tried everything to get to the World Cup but an injury like that takes time."

Watch: Moukoko's brilliant double against Bochum

Germany play a final warm-up game against Oman on 16 November. Their first group-stage game in the World Cup is against Japan (23 November), before they take on Spain (27 November) and Costa Rica (1 December).

Germany squad:

Goalkeepers

Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona), Kevin Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Defenders

Armel Bella Kotchap (Southampton), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Christian Günter (Freiburg), Thilo Kehrer (West Ham), Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Freiburg), Niklas Süle (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders/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)

*Bundesliga players in bold

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