Jamal Musiala recounts decision to choose Germany over Nigeria or England
Jamal Musiala, the Bayern Munich star, could have played for Nigeria or England but chose Germany. After being named Man of the Match in Germany’s opening 2024 European Championship match against Scotland, Musiala shared his decision process.
The 21-year-old’s standout performance in Germany’s 5-1 win over Scotland showcased his talent, which could have benefited Nigeria or England, given his eligibility for both.
Musiala was born in Stuttgart but moved to England at age seven, where he played for Southampton and Chelsea’s academies. He was eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.
In an interview with BILD, Musiala revealed that a visit to Stuttgart in 2011 influenced his decision. His mother took a photo of him pointing to the DFB logo on the German national team bus. “I don’t remember much about it, but the photo is really cool. My mom takes a lot of photos. It’s great that she captured this moment,” Musiala said. That visit coincided with a match where Germany beat Brazil 3-2, and Musiala recalled, “Back then, I was already a big Germany fan; I always wore a jersey.”
When it came time to choose between England and Germany, Musiala felt a strong connection to Germany. “In the end, I listened to the feeling that has been telling me for a long time that it is the right decision to play for Germany, the country where I was born. But it was not an easy decision,” he confirmed.
Since choosing Germany, Musiala has played 30 times for the national team, participating in the FIFA World Cup and UEFA European Championships.
