Hummels: DFB appointment “insane confirmation” – entry into the top 25 after games beckons

Over 2 years after last use

Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels sees his return to the German national team after a break of more than two years as recognition for his work. “It’s an incredible and really nice confirmation of what I do on the pitch and what I do to ensure that things still work on the pitch,” said Hummels in an Instagram video message to the fans. He is “very happy to be back with the team.” By the time of the European Championships, he will be in the top 25 of German record national players.

It was nice to see “how many people are honestly and authentically happy for me,” the 34-year-old 2014 world champion continued. Hummels continues to impress at BVB this season and, in addition to his usual security in defense, has already scored two goals.

The new national coach Julian Nagelsmann sent a signal on Friday by nominating Hummels. More than two years after his 76th and so far last international match at the European Championships against England, the opinionated defender is returning to the DFB team – as a leading figure, as Nagelsmann immediately made clear. “Mats is a player with a lot of experience. And that’s what we want to see,” said Nagelsmann in a DFB video. Hummels should “lead the other boys with him”.

With the end of the era of national coach Joachim Löw, Hummel’s international playing time also seemed to be over. Under Löw’s successor Hansi Flick, the Dortmund player was not once in the squad. But there was never a resignation. Now the changeable career is taking another turn. Löw had already done without Hummels between spring 2019 and 2021 and then brought him back – ultimately without success – for his last tournament as national coach.

Now Hummels should give the recently unstable defense new support on the way to the home European Championship next year and could move into the top 25 of Germany’s record national players by the start of the tournament. A trio around Bernd Schneider is currently tied for 24th place with 81 international matches, while Hummels can make 80 appearances this year with four international matches remaining and can overtake them in the spring (see full statistics).

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