Quit DFB: Paul Wanner is a role model for all youth players! Opinion

Von Kai Esser

Get as high as possible as fast as possible.

That seems to be the motto for many footballers. The list of “new Messis”, although the career of the “old” Lionel Messi is not over yet, is long.

Soccer players who are labeled as “super talent” usually want to achieve everything before they are teenagers. Bundesliga, Champions Leaguenational team.

Such a “great talent” too Paul Wanner. The loan from FC Bayern Munich to 1. FC Heidenheim Brenz is a great player at only 18 years old.

In 13 competitive games he scored five times in three different competitions and added two goals. The second youngest Bundesliga player in history recently became the youngest Bundesliga penalty goalscorer in history. That alone shows the amount of responsibility and how important Wanner is in Frank Schmidt’s team.

National coach Julian Nagelsmann also wanted to show his appreciation by naming him. However, the native Vorarlberg declined. Unlike Bernd Leno, who was suspended in October because he was not given playing time, Wanner was suspended because he preferred to help the U21 (11/15 from 6 pm against Denmark and November 19. from 6:15 p.m)

Such a clear assessment from a young man who has just been able to legally purchase a fruit glass cannot be overstated. Wanner is a role model for all young talents!

Wanner changes Schmidt’s politeness

For a football player, the national team is one of the biggest things, a lifelong dream. It takes a lot to turn down this special offer and it certainly wasn’t easy for him. It was and is not only difficult for football players of this age to make sensible decisions at the age of just 18.

Of course, why the DFB wanted Wanner to participate in the current course is an open secret: with a competitive game in a DFB uniform he would initially be “locked in” and would not be able to make connections change so easily.

Wanner would also be eligible to play for Austria due to his Austrian mother and place of birth. He has even completed training sessions under Ralf Rangnick – with the belief that he will not be used. He also turned down an invitation from the ÖFB. He wants to think carefully about which country he will play for in the future.

Above all, this shows attitude and self-confidence. If the young man did not trust his own abilities, he might accept one of the invitations without thinking.

It is the humility, modesty and mentality that the attacking midfielder has shown under his current coach Frank Schmidt. He is also always calm and makes sensible decisions, which are usually correct. Imparting these soft skills to your players and then becoming a great coach is what separates good coaches from great coaches.

Paul Wanner is a refreshing antithesis to “Higher, Faster, Longer”. His attitude is a role model for all young people his age – not just football players.