The choice of a national team is an individual, emotional decision, says German Tah

German centre-back Jonathan Tah said a player’s decision on which national team to represent should be a decision from the heart.

The issue of German-developed players choosing to represent other countries is back in the spotlight after German youth international Ibrahim Maza recently announced his decision to play for the Algerian national team.

The 19-year-old Bayer Leverkusen striker has become the latest footballer to decide not to play for Germany despite developing there as a youth and senior player, with German Federation (DFB) bosses repeatedly saying there should be financial compensation for the development of these players.

Other recent cases include Bavarian-born Can Uzun, who opted to play for the Turkish senior team last year.

Tah, who had been able to play for Ivory Coast because of his father, said he decided early on to stay with Germany, a decision he felt very comfortable with.

«For everyone it is an individual decision and everyone sees it differently. For me it is a decision of the heart,» Tah told a news conference ahead of Germany’s last two World Cup qualifiers.

«It didn’t last long. It happened when I was 17 (and was approached by Ivory Coast). I quickly said no. I went through all the German youth national teams and I wanted to play for Germany. It was an individual decision and I see it as a decision of the heart.»

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The 29-year-old Tah, who has 41 caps to his name, is expected to add two more in the coming days as Germany travel to Luxembourg on Friday before hosting Slovakia in the final World Cup qualifiers. He is desperate for back-to-back wins that will secure his place in next year’s tournament.

Germany top Group A, ahead of second-placed Slovakia on goal difference. Northern Ireland is third out of six, Luxembourg is at the bottom without a point. The group winner earns automatic World Cup qualification, while the second-placed team will enter a play-off in March.

Asked if he doubted Germany would be the frontrunner, Tah said: “No, that’s the quick answer.”

Published on November 12, 2025