Emotions before debut

“In the garden”: Grandma made Nübel fit for the DFB goal

Alexander Nübel celebrates his debut in the DFB goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina.(Bild: AFP/APA/Tobias SCHWARZ)

Goalkeeper Alexander Nübel has addressed his grandmother with emotional words ahead of his debut for the German national soccer team. The now 92-year-old often used to play soccer with him in the garden and thus laid the foundation for his career. 

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has already announced that Nübel will make his debut in the DFB goal in the Nations League match against Bosnia and Herzegovina (8.45pm). This will be a dream come true for the 28-year-old, a dream that began with his grandmother in the garden. 

"My grandma played a lot of soccer with me in the garden," explained Nübel in the national team circle. Nobody else in his family had much interest in soccer, the Stuttgart goalkeeper recalls. His parents even found playing football at home "extremely annoying". 

Dream comes true
Only his grandmother took pity on him and played with young Alex in the garden. "That was super cool, really nice," enthuses Nübel. And grandma's efforts paid off. Her grandson can celebrate his debut in the DFB goal and is still considered the most likely successor to Manuel Neuer in goal for FC Bayern.

After Nagelsmann informed him of his decision, he immediately told his family, says Nübel: "It's a dream come true here. I was delighted and called them straight away, of course." The 28-year-old is also hoping to see his former "goalkeeping coach" again soon: "I hope my grandma will be able to drop by again soon".