Wöber returns to former form after World Cup disappointment
When Maximilian Wöber on 7 June 2025, for the 31st time delivered an assist for the Austrian national team, he helped the side to a 2:1‑victory over Romania in the World Cup qualifier and received the KURIER‑Note 1 – his so far last international match, and as a defensive bastion with offensive drive he became the outstanding player.
Setbacks after the peak
The high was followed by several lows: three muscle injuries, a year to forget at Werder Bremen and finally the World Cup exit. Wöber admitted that “there were already a lot, a lot of tears shed”.
His last appearance ended in a match in Hoffenheim, where he was substituted on and immediately after a long throw‑in felt a stabbing pain in the groin. The subsequent diagnosis finally closed the door to the World Cup.
In the meantime Maximilian Wöber no longer plays for Werder Bremen, but for Schalke 04. In Gelsenkirchen he has regained full confidence in his body thanks to the medical department, as he himself said: “The medical department has built me up superbly.”
Wöber emphasizes that he can now switch off his mind and focus on the essentials. He had previously wondered whether his body would still cooperate, but the negative thoughts have now disappeared.
New start at Schalke and return to the national team
At Schalke he has so far only been used as a joker, but a special moment was the stoppage‑time goal against Union Berlin that sealed the 3:1‑final score. That goal made it clear that he will again belong to the circle of the national team.
His standing as a left‑footed player with the squad and the head coach remains high, and in the current transition he is demanded as a leader on the pitch. “We have sat down as a team, without a coaching staff, and worked through issues that we need to tackle again”, he explained. The players stress that Austria under Ralf Rangnick must always work on intensity.
Opponent Israel is supposed to feel that on Thursday, perhaps also through Maximilian Wöber. The match is seen as an important test for the new team philosophy.