Julian Weigl was taken aback by his recall to the Germany squad after a five-year absence, having previously been considered a potential future superstar.
Weigl rose to prominence at Borussia Dortmund, earning his first senior Germany cap 14 months after moving to BVB from 1860 Munich in 2015 as a 19-year-old.
His form during his first couple of seasons in the Bundesliga drew links with some of Europe s biggest clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Manchester City apparently particularly keen on the talented deep-lying playmaker.
But he struggled to maintain that level after Thomas Tuchel s exit and was frustrated by untimely injuries, ultimately falling out of favour and being sold to Benfica for a reported €20million in January 2020.
The move was indicative of the decline in Weigl s reputation and he was being linked with another move less than a year after joining Benfica due to early struggles with Jorge Jesus.
But this season he has become a key figure and played in seven of Benfica s eight matches en route to the Champions League quarter-finals, helping him back into the Germany setup.
When the coach called me, I was with my team-mate Soualiho Meite. I couldn t believe that Hansi [Flick] had called me and that I d missed it, he told reporters.
I knew I had to call him back. I was absolutely thrilled, we chatted for a short while and then I immediately rang my parents and my wife. They were some emotional phone calls. My family and my wife were also over the moon.
I was extremely pleased when I got the call from Hansi. I wasn t expecting it. When you re putting in good performances for your club, you do get your hopes up a little bit, but it still came as a surprise.
Julian : I m effectively the same player, but I ve matured and got physically stronger. I don t want to hide I want to lead from the front and look for the ball.
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN)
I was looking forward to seeing the lads again, and so I arrive here with a really positive energy. I ve always looked out for when the national squad gets announced, and I m more than aware that you have to be performing at the top level at your club week-in, week-out to earn your selection.
But I never once said to myself at any time that my performances deserved to be rewarded with a call-up – I simply tried to keep concentration on myself and my game. Because of that, the eventual call-up was even more of a pleasant surprise.
Despite the promise he showed early on at Dortmund, Weigl only ever featured five times for Germany.
His most recent outing was 66 minutes in a friendly with England way back in March 2017 – now 26, Weigl does not think his playing style has changed significantly, but leaving Germany helped him grow and he feels better physically.
Generally speaking, I m still the same player, he continued. What s changed is that I ve become more mature and more experienced – playing abroad has certainly helped me in this regard, as well as becoming a father.
My daughter helps me to relax, as my life is so fast-paced. I ve improved from a physical perspective, too.
Weigl s recall comes at a potentially critical moment as well. With the World Cup starting in less than eight months, the midfielder surely has a genuine opportunity of being in the selection that travels to Qatar.
He is now focused on proving to Flick that he is worthy of consideration.
I m trying to show off what I can do every day that I m here, as well as take on board the ideas of the head coach and work them into my game, he said.
I m asking for the ball a lot in the sessions and I m not afraid to do so, because that s how I m going to prove to the head coach that I m a serious option for the World Cup squad, because I can be relied upon at any time and that I can put in a solid performance when needed.
Germany, who have already qualified for the World Cup, will face Israel and the Netherlands in friendlies during this international window.
