Bundesliga
Maximilian Mittelstädt could be the answer to Germany's prayers at left-back. bundesliga.com profiles the VfB Stuttgart wide man firmly in the running for a place in Julian Nagelsmann's UEFA Euro 2024 squad...
Stats correct as of 26 March 2024
Age: 26 (born 18 March 1997)
Club: VfB Stuttgart
Position: Left-back/ left midfield
Country: Germany (two senior caps)
Key stats
Mittelstädt was still making in-roads with the first team at boyhood club Hertha Berlin, when he stated playing for Germany at either the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup was "the goal". The left-sided specialist has had to bide his time, but will finally get the chance to build on his 31 youth caps - the last of which fell in the 2019 UEFA U21 Euro semi-finals - after being called up for senior friendlies against France and the Netherlands in March 2024.
Mittelstädt's nomination is reward for a consistent debut season with Stuttgart. The 5'10" wing-back had featured in 23 of VfB's 25 top-flight games at the time of Nagelsmann's squad announcement, producing two goals and three assists for a Stuttgart team on course to qualify for the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League. Having played in UEFA competition before with Hertha - the club where he made his Bundesliga bow, aged 19 - Stuttgart's best player in 2023/24 for crosses from open play debuted for Germany in the March friendly win in France, before scoring a wonder goal on his second start, at home to the Netherlands.
Plays a bit like: Christian Günter
Mittelstädt is the latest in a growing line of players to get a chance at left-back for Germany. He likes to move between defence and a more attacking role, in a similar manner to senior internationals such as Union Berlin's Robin Gosens and Freiburg captain Christian Günter. The Stuttgart No.7 arguably has most in common with the latter, including a laser-guided left foot known for picking a pass from open and set plays.
Did you know?
A year after getting his hands on the 2014/15 U19 German Cup with Hertha, Mittelstädt won the prestigious Fritz Walter bronze medal - part of the group of annual awards that has been bestowed upon the best young footballers in Germany since 2005. Previous bronze medal winners include Joshua Kimmich, Marc-André ter Stegen and Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Watch: Maxi Mittelstädt scored one of the top 5 goals on Matchday 20 of 2023/24
What they're saying
"Maxi's been a great signing for us. He's versatile, direct and gives us real momentum. Perhaps the national team can take advantage of that." - Stuttgart head coach Sebastian Hoeneß, prior to Mittelstädt's maiden call-up
"It worked well with Maxi. He always dreamed of becoming a professional and worked hard for it. He's the best example for our younger talent to follow." - Mittelstädt's former Hertha coach, Pal Dardai