Football: Bayern teen Musiala opts for German national team instead of England after feat

Jamal Musiala has also represented both German and England at national youth level. PHOTO: REUTERS

BERLIN (REUTERS) - Bayern Munich's teenager Jamal Musiala has decided to play in the future for the German national team instead of England after a talk with Germany coach Joachim Low, the attacking midfielder said on Wednesday (Feb 24).

The 17-year-old became the youngest English scorer in the Champions League when he netted for Bayern in Tuesday's 4-1 last-16 first-leg win over Lazio in Rome.

Hours later, the England Under-21 international announced his decision to play for Germany.

"I have a heart for Germany and a heart for England," Musiala told Germany's ARD Television. "I thought about it a lot but at the end I listened to the feeling that it is the right decision to play for Germany."

The Stuttgart-born Musiala played almost his entire youth career at Chelsea from 2011 before joining Bayern in 2019 and thus was eligible to also play for England.

He has also represented both German and England at national youth level but said a chat with coach Low helped swing the decision in Germany's favour.

"I had a very good an honest discussion with Joachim Low. We met in Munich and he showed me clearly my way to the national team," Musiala, who turns 18 on Friday, said.

He said Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff had also been present.

"I was impressed by how well informed they both were. Mr Low analysed very well my style and my weaknesses. He sees me in the future in my strongest position, that in the attacking midfield," Musiala added.

Germany have advanced to this year's European Championship and Low said Musiala would be called up next month for their three World Cup 2022 qualifying matches.

"I see huge potential in him," the 61-year-old, who led Die Mannschaft to the 2014 World Cup, said. "Obviously we had him in our sights for some time.

"No one can give a guarantee at this stage, that would not be serious. But I think that we will call him up in March especially as the squad will be bigger due to the three international matches."

Germany host Iceland on March 25 before travelling to Romania for another World Cup qualifier three days later.

They also play North Macedonia on March 31.

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