Paul Wanner, currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich, made headlines when he turned down a recent call-up to the German national team. The 17-year-old midfielder, who is also eligible to represent Austria, explained that he is not ready to make a final decision about his international future. Instead, Wanner intends to prioritize his development and focus on progressing as a player before committing to a national team.
His situation is reminiscent of Jamal Musiala’s experience a few years ago, when the young talent faced a similar choice between playing for Germany or England. Musiala ultimately chose to represent Germany, and his decision has been widely regarded as a successful one. Wanner, like Musiala, is taking time to carefully weigh his options and make the best decision for his career.
In a recent press conference, Musiala shared his advice for Wanner, stressing the importance of taking his time in making the decision. He encouraged Wanner to focus on his own thoughts and avoid being influenced by media pressure. Musiala suggested that Wanner should have open discussions with his family and reflect deeply on his choice, acknowledging that it’s ultimately a decision for Wanner to make on his own.
For the time being, Wanner has chosen to play for Germany’s Under-21 team, who are set to face Denmark and France this month. This opportunity will allow him to continue his development while representing his country at the youth level, as he remains focused on improving and waiting until he feels ready to make a commitment to a senior national team.
