Less than 24 hours after becoming the youngest Bayern Munich player to score in the Champions League, England Under-21 midfielder Jamal Musiala confirmed he would switch allegiances to play senior football for Germany.
Musiala turns 18 on Friday and marked only his fourth Champions League appearance by slotting home a first-half goal as Bayern routed Lazio 4-1 in Tuesday’s (February 23) last-16, first-leg tie in Rome.
Musiala has dual nationality and, at 17 years, 363 days, became the youngest English or German player to score in the Champions League.
Stuttgart-born Musiala also qualified for England having moved to London as a child and came through the Chelsea academy before joining Bayern in 2019.
He made his England Under-21 debut last November, but has decided to shun The Three Lions and play senior football for Germany.
“At the end, I simply listened to my feelings and this decision feels 100 percent right,” he told broadcaster ARD.
“I have a heart for Germany and a heart for England. Both will continue to beat.
“Germany is the country where I was born and where I started playing football, but I grew up in England and still have many friends there.
“I have thought about this a lot, it was not such an easy decision.”
Having seamlessly replaced veteran Thomas Mueller, who is sidelined by a positive Covid-19 test, Musiala posted “A night to remember” on Twitter alongside pictures of his goal celebration for Bayern on Tuesday.
It is a big week for the attacking midfielder who is due to mark Friday’s milestone birthday by signing a five-year contract with Bayern.
Germany head coach Joachim Loew reportedly wants to select Musiala for the senior squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers.
A fortnight ago, Germany team director Oliver Bierhoff disclosed having had a “very good” conversation in his bid to persuade Musiala.
There were hints after Bayern’s win in Rome that Musiala will opt for Germany’s seniors having played for their Under-16 national team in 2018.
“I don’t think we have to wait much longer. I would of course be happy if we play for Germany together,” Leon Goretzka, who set up Musiala’s goal in Rome, told Sky.
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