Bayern Jewel is causing turmoil within the German Football Association (DFB)
Young football star Paul Wanner from 1. FC Heidenheim is still on the fence about whether he'll represent Germany or Austria at the international level. In an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung", the 18-year-old revealed, "I can genuinely say that my decision isn't set in stone yet. I haven't made up my mind yet." He added, "To be honest, I'd like to spend a full season in the Bundesliga first to see how things shake out. However, my gut feeling for the right time hasn't fully materialized yet."
Wanner is currently under consideration for Germany's U21 squad and has impressed Bundestrainer Julian Nagelsmann. Originally slated for the U21 Euro qualifying matches against Israel and Estonia, Wanner turned down the offer. He preferred to concentrate on his debut season in the Bundesliga. But his time in the Bundesliga is limited. "Obviously, I won't be taking a sabbatical forever," says the teen. "My goal isn't to avoid playing for a national team. I want to represent a country eventually."
Nagelsmann recently stated, "He's a player with immense potential that we at the DFB have in our long-term plans." Bayern Munich's sports director Max Eberl added, "We have the ambition to have Paul as a Bayern Munich player someday." Wanner is carefully navigating his way to the top. Last season, he was loaned to promoted SV Elversberg in the second division.
These days, Wanner has been instrumental in Heidenheim's rise to the top of the Bundesliga, scoring four competitive goals after five competitive games. Born in Austria, Wanner was called up to train with the Austrian national team under coach Ralf Rangnick in November 2022. Though Rangnick continues to express interest in Wanner, the Austrian team wasn't his focus before or after the training camp. Wanner has represented German U-teams and will make the final call for a senior national team with his family. "Dad, Mom, and me," Wanner said, emphasizing that no one else is involved in the decision.
Wanner mentioned in the interview that he's eager to spend a full season in the Bundesliga league before considering representing a country at the international level. After impressing Germany's U21 squad, Wanner decided to concentrate on his debut season in the Bundesliga, ignoring the U21 Euro qualifying matches against Israel and Estonia.
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