22.05.2026 17:30
Germany, which announced its 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, sparked controversy as Galatasaray's Leroy Sane received an invitation. German football legend Lothar Matthaus harshly criticized coach Julian Nagelsmann's choice of Sane, pointing to Cologne's young star instead.
Germany National Team Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann has announced the official 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. Galatasaray player Leroy Sane is among the names included in the squad. However, Sane's inclusion in the tournament roster has divided the football public in Germany.
MATTHAUS CRITICIZES SANE
German football legend Lothar Matthaus harshly criticized Leroy Sane for being included in the Germany National Team's 2026 World Cup squad.
"I WOULD NOT HAVE SELECTED SANE"
In his statement, Matthaus said, "Sane's performance of 2 goals and 3 assists in the last four matches sounds good, but who did we play against? Luxembourg, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Ghana... Are these opponents a reference for the World Cup?"
"FELL SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS"
The legendary footballer stated that Sane had a good match against Slovakia but it was not enough, adding, "While other players show more consistent performances, is playing well once every 6-7 matches enough for a World Cup squad? Moreover, he cannot even regularly start in the Champions League. He also fell well short of expectations at Galatasaray."
NAGELSMANN DEFENDS SANE
Germany Head Coach Julian Nagelsmann explained his reasons for including Sane in the squad, saying, "His statistics at the club level were not high enough, I admit that. However, he contributed 5 goals in his last four matches for the national team. With his speed and technique, he can have a big impact against deep defenses. I have a very good relationship with him, and I believe I can push him to his limits."
SEASON PERFORMANCE
This season, Leroy Sane played 43 matches for Galatasaray, managing a performance of 7 goals and 9 assists.