After scoring in the Europa League
DFB professional with special cheers: That’s what’s behind it
12/12/2025 – 7:28 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstädt scores a goal in the win over Maccabi Tel Aviv. He celebrates the goal with a special celebration – for his wife.
Maximilian Mittelstädt drew attention to himself with a special celebratory gesture during VfB Stuttgart’s 4-1 win in the Europa League against Maccabi Tel Aviv. The 28-year-old left-back formed an L in front of his lips with his thumb and forefinger to keep a promise to his wife Lea.
As Mittelstädt revealed after the game, his wife had pointed out to him that other players often make sweet gestures for their partners after a goal. “I said: ‘Honey, I don’t score a goal that often, but next time I score a goal, I’ll score an L for you,'” said Mittelstädt.
He was able to make this gesture for the first time in the 3-2 win in the Bundesliga against FC Augsburg at the beginning of November when he converted a penalty – just like he did now against Maccabi. “She was very happy,” said Mittelstädt, describing his wife’s reaction to his celebration. The former Hertha professional has scored three goals in all competitions this season.
In the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, his 100th competitive game for VfB Stuttgart, he showed a strong performance and also prepared Lorenz Assignon’s 1-0 goal. Mittelstädt hopes that his performances will also convince national coach Julian Nagelsmann, who recently ignored him in the DFB team. Mittelstädt was still part of the German squad at the 2024 European Championships. Next summer the World Cup will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
“It was a good performance. I just have to confirm my performances week after week,” said Mittelstädt, describing his performance against Maccabi. He wants to try everything to show Nagelsmann that he wants to be at the World Cup.
An additional incentive for Mittelstädt: The second international match of the new year will take place in Stuttgart. The DFB selection will start the World Cup year on March 27th with a friendly match in Basel against Switzerland; the opponent for the game in Stuttgart has not yet been decided.