Wanner explains decision to turn down Germany call-up

Paul Wanner has spoken out about his decision to turn down a call-up to the German national team this month.

It was recently reported that Paul Wanner had rejected Julian Nagelsmann’s call-up to the German national team for their UEFA Nations League matches this month.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder, who is eligible to play for both Germany and Austria, has now explained his decision.

“I think everyone knows that I have a great relationship with Julian because we’ve known each other for a long time and we’re in regular contact,” Wanner told Bild of Nagelsmann, who made him Bayern’s youngest ever Bundesliga debutant at the age of 16 years and 15 days in January 2022.

“Basically, I said weeks ago that I just want to develop as much as possible over the next few months and I don’t really want to worry about making a final decision about my international future. I just want to follow my own path and my own development,” added Wanner, who has impressed on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich this season.

The 18-year-old wants to continue to play for Germany’s U-21 side, with whom he hopes to feature at next year’s European Championship.

“I am looking forward to playing for Germany at U21 level as normal and making my mark there for the time being. I want to continue my development there step by step.”

According to Bild, Wanner is currently “clearly leaning towards” playing for Germany rather than Austria. But for now, he just wants to mature as a player.

“In general, too much fuss is made about players who have the opportunity to play for two countries. I don’t want to take advantage of that. I want to have clearly earned this status as a senior international,” he said.