Kroos Returns to Germany Squad Almost Three Years Later
The Real Madrid midfielder has returned to a call-up for the German national team after almost three years of absence.
The first call-up for Bayern midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic and the return of Real Madrid's Toni Kroos are the main highlights of the list announced by German coach Julian Nagelsmann for the friendlies against France and the Netherlands on March 23 and 26.
Kroos had announced his retirement from the German national team on July 2, 2021, after playing 106 games and scoring 17 goals.
The 26-man squad features notable absences, such as Leon Goretzka, and includes six players who could make their debut for the senior team.
In addition to Pavlovic, first-time call-ups include Waldemar Anton, Maximilian Mittelstadt, and Deniz Undav, all from Stuttgart, Maximilian Beier from Hoffenheim, and Jan-Niklas Beste from Heidenheim.
Barcelona's Marc-André ter Stegen is also included.
Kroos's return had been recently announced by the player himself, while Pavlovic's call-up, who has been a standout for Bayern this season, was anticipated amid the tussle between the German Football Federation (DFB) and the Serbian Football Federation to secure the player's services, as he holds dual nationality.
"With regard to Alex, I want to make something clear: this is not a political call-up. It's a decision based on his performance. I'm glad he wants to play for Germany, but if he had told me he preferred to play for Serbia, I would have respected that and not insisted," said Nagelsmann.
In addition to the six potential debutants, there are six players who were not in the squad for the games in November, which ended in defeats against Turkey and Austria.
Alongside Kroos, Manuel Neuer returns to the squad after being sidelined due to injury, as well as Chris Führich, Robin Koch, Bernd Leno, and Jamal Musiala.
- The 26-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (Hoffenheim), Bernd Leno (Fühlham), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-André ter Stegen (Barcelona).
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (Stuttgart), Jan-Niklas Beste (Heidenheim), Benjamin Henrichs (Bayer Leverkusen), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstädt (Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rüdiger (Real Madrid), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen).
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Führich (Stuttgart), Pascal Gross, Ilkay Gündogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen).
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (Hoffenheim), Niclas Füllkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Müller (Bayern), Deniz Undav (Stuttgart).
