Mats Hummels sets his sights on the home European Championship: “Really attack again”

Last played for the DFB in 2021

Mats Hummels does not see his comeback to the national team as a one-off event, but rather has his sights set on at least the home European Championship in 2024. “I don’t plan on playing any tournaments in 2028 and 2030. We are now really attacking again for the summer. Then we’ll see what happens,” said the 34-year-old Borussia Dortmund defender, who is part of the DFB squad on the USA trip for the first time since the 2021 European Championship, in Foxborough.

The new national coach Julian Nagelsmann surprisingly nominated him for the test games on Saturday (9 p.m. / RTL) in Hartford against hosts USA and then in Philadelphia against Mexico. In doing so, he honored the consistently good performances of the 76-time national player at the club. He was “completely happy,” said returnee Hummels after the first days of training.

With the end of Joachim Löw’s era, Hummel’s international playing time also seemed to be over. The veteran wasn’t in the squad once under Hansi Flick. But there was never a resignation. Now the changeable career is taking another turn. Löw had already done without the 2018 world champion between spring 2019 and 2021 and then brought him back – ultimately without success – for his last tournament as national coach. Hummels wore the DFB jersey for the last time to date in the 2-0 defeat in the European Championship round of 16 against England.

“I’m ready when I’m called upon,” said the defender about a possible start from the start in the first test against the USA. With the start of the tournament next year, Hummels could move into the top 25 of Germany’s record national players. A trio around Bernd Schneider is currently tied for 24th place with 81 appearances, Hummels can make 80 appearances in 2023 with four international matches remaining and pass in the spring.

Nagelsmann also relies on Hummels’ leadership qualities. The defensive specialist wants to meet these requirements: “Of course he expects me to take over the organization on the field. A role that I like to take on because it is in my nature.” He had experienced the 2-1 win against runner-up world champions France in the last international match in Dortmund as a spectator in the stands. We definitely have to build on that: “I noticed during the game what a great atmosphere there was in the stadium. To stoke this fire that can carry the country at a home European Championship next year, two victories would be very important.”

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