Mario Gotze’s renaissance has seen him named in Germany’s final 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar – despite last playing for his nation in November 2017.
Gotze’s greatest moment came at the World Cup in 2014 when he scored the winning goal to down Lionel Messi and Argentina and secure the trophy for Germany.
Gotze will be battling Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Brandt, Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Jonas Hoffman and Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan for minutes across Germany’s midfield throughout the tournament.
He is best known for that Man of the Match display in the 2014 final and there will be real hope that he still has the potential to ignite at a tournament, with Germany facing Spain, Japan and Costa Rica in their group.
Away from Gotze, one of the most contentious calls has been made in defence, with Mats Hummels, a stalwart for Germany over the years, overlooked in favour of Southampton’s Armel Bella Kotchap.
Explaining his decision, Flick said: ‘Mats is fully fit and in excellent form. But within the coaching team, we decided for a younger player (Bella-Kotchap).
‘The focus was more on the future.’
Germany play their opening game against Japan on Wednesday November 23 before facing Spain four days later.
They wrap up their group stage campaign against Costa Rica on December 1.
The post Gotze – who scored the goal to win Germany the 2014 World Cup – Is going to Qatar appeared first on KBC.
