Exceptional talent Can Uzun from 1. FC Nürnberg has turned down the DFB and will play for the Turkish national team in the future.
“I listened to my heart“, said the 18-year-old on Sky. “We have great respect for Can Uzun’s decision“, said DFB managing director Andreas Rettig: “especially because of the good, open and honest exchange that Rudi Völler, Antonio Di Salvo and I recently had with Can and his father. We wish Can much success in his future journey.“
Participation in the European Championship is in prospect
The offensive player wants to take this route with Turkey, whose national coach Vincenzo Montella has given him the prospect of participating in the European Championship. “You have to feel the national team – and here my heart and my gut said that Turkey was the right choice for me“, said Uzun: “I will give everything to achieve great things.“
He should be nominated by Montella for the international matches on March 22nd in Hungary and four days later in Austria. Uzun was born in Regensburg and has been playing for 1. FCN since he was 13. He scored eleven goals in 20 second division games. He has also played for the Turkish U17 and U18 and was nominated for the U21.
“Honest, open and very respectful”
DFB sports director Völler, Rettig and U21 coach Di Salvo wanted to win him over to the DFB. Uzun perceived this as “huge honor” and spoke of “great gratitude for Germany“. Völler he called “an absolute football legend“who advised him,”on my heart” listen: “There was no pressure, it was honest, open and very respectful.“
The DFB still loses the next Turkish-born talent. Also Uzuns “best friend” Kenan Yildiz (Juventus Turin) – also born in Regensburg but trained at FC Bayern – plays for Turkey. In the international match in November (2:3) he even scored a goal against the DFB team.