Undav's Impactful World Cup Performance
German forward Deniz Undav has become a pivotal figure for his national team at the ongoing World Cup, demonstrating his value with key contributions that have propelled Germany into the knockout stages for the first time since their 2014 victory. His recent performance, including a double in the dramatic 2-1 comeback against Ivory Coast, underscores his growing importance to the squad.
With three goals and two assists across two substitute appearances, Undav has accumulated five goal involvements, matching Roger Milla's 1990 record for the most by a substitute in a World Cup since 1966. This impressive run follows a period of public scrutiny, including a notable disagreement with manager Julian Nagelsmann earlier in the year.
Overcoming Managerial Scrutiny
Undav's inclusion in the World Cup squad was initially uncertain, partly due to a public exchange with Nagelsmann after a late winner against Ghana in March. Undav had openly expressed his ambition for a starting role, prompting Nagelsmann to caution him against placing undue pressure on himself. The manager even suggested Undav might not have scored if he had started, though he later apologized to the striker.
Since then, Undav has responded emphatically on the field, with his performances now putting him in serious contention for a starting position. He has tallied nine goals in 11 international matches. Nagelsmann acknowledged Undav's impact after the win against Ivory Coast, stating, "Why should I ruin his flow? He came in twice and got goals twice," hinting at a potential start for Germany's final group match against Ecuador.
A Journey of Persistence and Determination
Undav's path to international stardom is a testament to his resilience. At 14, he faced rejection from Werder Bremen due to his size. By 17, he was balancing a semi-professional football career in the German fourth tier, earning £120 a week, with demanding eight-hour shifts at a factory.
"When Werder told me at 14 that I didn't have a future with them because I was too small, it broke my heart," Undav recounted in an interview with Belgian outlet 7sur7. "But I did not abandon hope. I left the family home at 17 to sign for Havelse in the fourth division in Germany where I combined playing and training with working full-time, eight-hour days operating a laser machine in a factory. I got up around 4am, went to the factory, then I went to training and got back home around 8pm... before doing it all again the next day. I had to do that job for the money to live because I couldn't survive on the money from the football alone."
His career trajectory saw him move to Belgian second-division side Union Saint-Gilloise in 2020, where he helped them achieve promotion and scored 25 top-flight goals, earning him a transfer to Brighton. After a less prolific season with Brighton, he was loaned to Stuttgart, where he scored 19 Bundesliga goals in the 2025-26 season, finishing second only to Harry Kane and securing his World Cup spot.
Pushing for a Starting Role
Despite Kai Havertz often starting upfront for Germany, Undav's recent double against Ivory Coast has presented a compelling argument for a change. Nagelsmann praised Undav's ability to thrive when games open up, noting, "He really reached the highest point for the World Cup." While acknowledging every player's desire to start, Nagelsmann also highlighted Undav's immediate impact as a substitute. Undav's last start for Germany, a 4-0 friendly win against Finland, saw him score twice and provide an assist.
After receiving the player-of-the-match award against the Ivorians, Undav expressed his delight: "It's a great feeling... The important thing is we won the game and go into the next round and see what happens." With Germany eyeing a fifth World Cup title, Undav's continued form could be crucial to their ambitions.
Source: From factory floor to World Cup star - Germany's super-sub Undav