Tresoldi moves up to second place – DFB fights for the U21 star

The 22‑year‑old captain Nicolò Tresoldi is in top form, after he scored a hat‑trick in the European Championship qualifying match against Malta and thereby climbed to second place on the ever‑lasting U21 top‑scorers list. The DFB is trying to keep the striker, but Tresoldi has so far only answered questions about his future evasively.

Second place in the U21 top‑scorers list

With goals 14 to 16 against Malta, Tresoldi narrowly fell short of the 17‑goal tally of record‑scorer Heiko Herrlich. Only Herrlich, who has so far recorded 17 goals, remains ahead of the Brugge striker. This moves the 22‑year‑old forward from Club Brugge into the top group of U21 scorers.

DFB tries to keep Tresoldi

The association is doing everything to convince the young forward to stay. In the upcoming training camps a place in Jürgen Klopp's squad could be discussed, should Tresoldi continue to stand out. So far, however, no other U21 striker has generated comparable interest.

Tresoldi continues to dodge questions about his international future and instead points to the goal of securing the European Championship ticket for the German U21. Whether he will become active for Italy after the qualification is completed remains open. The player emphasizes that sporting objectives currently take precedence.

Former stars who left the DFB

Several stars have already chosen against the German national team. Ibrahim Maza, a 20‑year‑old attacking midfielder, moved from Hertha BSC to Bayer Leverkusen and decided in September 2024 for Algeria. “I wanted to be able to play for an A‑national team as early as possible and to make as many appearances as possible as a professional in the national side,” Maza said in January 2025. Maza is regarded as a true Berlin street‑footballer, whose creativity and goal threat quickly made him a decisive player.

German‑Turkish professionals and their decisions

Players with Turkish roots have also left the DFB. Can Uzun from Eintracht Frankfurt and Salih Özcan, who plays for Besiktas, were frequently mentioned. The most prominent case is probably Kenan Yildiz, who hails from Regensburg and also chose the path to the Turkish national team.

The growing number of talents who opt for other national associations presents the DFB with a strategic challenge. While Tresoldi remains undecided, his possible switch could shape the future for other U21 players.