Sports national team
“Project of the heart” – Dahoud now wants to play for Syria instead of Germany
As of: 11:38 a.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
Mahmoud Dahoud played twice for the German senior national team
Source: dpa/Robert Michael
Mahmoud Dahoud has been playing for Germany’s national football teams since he was a U18. Three months before the home European Championship, the midfielder from VfB Stuttgart now wants to change associations. His decision has a special background.
The two-time national soccer player Mahmoud Dahoud wants to play for Syria in the future. According to information from Sky, the midfielder from Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart has already informed the Syrian Football Association of his decision.
Dahoud has already played two games for the German senior national team, but there were no competitive games. According to the regulations of the world association FIFA, a change is still possible.
“Bringing joy to people in Syria”
“Syria is my family’s country of origin and ultimately also my birth country. And I learned early on from my family how privileged we are to live in Germany and at the same time how important it is to bring joy to the people in Syria,” said the former professional from Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Mönchengladbach on Sky: “I want that I’m happy to do it and I’m really looking forward to this project that’s close to my heart.”
Dahoud, who is currently on loan to Stuttgart from the English first division club Brighton & Hove Albion, also expressed his gratitude to the German Football Association (DFB). “I grew up in Germany, spent my whole life here and was proud to play in the youth national teams and the senior national team,” said the 28-year-old: “Germany is my home.”
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Dahoud, who was born in Syria and grew up in Germany, was used for the DFB selection in the test games in autumn 2020 against Turkey (3:3) and the Czech Republic (1:0). He also wore the German jersey in the junior division from U18 to U21.
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So far, Dahoud has not played a role in national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s plans for the home European Championships in Germany (June 14th to July 14th).