Nadiem Amiri: 'Never thought I'd be at the World Cup'
When Nadiem Amiri joined Hoffenheim's youth teams 14 years ago, he played under a young coach named Julian Nagelsmann. Today, the pair are together in the USA, Canada, and Mexico representing Germany at the World Cup. Amiri, now 29, reflects on that enduring bond and the road that brought him back to the top.
"If you have a youth coach and you know each other early and for a long time, then it's always a special relationship," Amiri said. "There were so many amazing moments together, and that shapes us. We have a good connection, and he was always in touch even when he wasn't my coach. I have a lot of respect for Julian and am grateful to him."
Nagelsmann can be grateful in return. Just two games into the tournament, Amiri delivered what the coach wanted exactly when the team needed it: his perfectly delivered cross set up Deniz Undav for Germany's equalizer against Cote d'Ivoire in Toronto on Saturday.
"I knew my moment would come," said Amiri, who has met in an exemplary fashion the expectation that Nagelsmann has of him as a substitute who delivers instant results.
Nagelsmann told ARD at the end of May that Amiri's emotional energy played a role in his inclusion in the squad. "Especially in the heat, when a game is petering out after the 70th minute because the teams are tired, [Amiri] can still spark something with his positive tenacity."
The long road back to the top
Amiri's recent career took a decisive turn with a surprise move to Mainz in January 2024. Before that, he was riding the bench for Bayer Leverkusen, starting just once in the club's first 19 Bundesliga games.
"The move to Mainz was the best move of my life. At the time, I just wanted to be happy again and play. I never would have thought I'd be sitting here two years later, but in football you never know," Amiri said, as Germany prepares for a World Cup game against Ecuador. "I always believed in my qualities, and I'm very proud."
After helping Mainz stave off relegation in his initial half-season stint, Amiri helped the club reach Europe in the following season. In the campaign just finished, he took a jump, scoring more goals and driving Mainz to the Conference League quarter-finals.
A family story of resilience
Amiri's personal story adds depth to his football journey. His parents fled war-torn Afghanistan in the 1980s, and he was born in 1996 in Germany, where he started playing football at a young age. That background, combined with his persistence through bench spells and a career-defining transfer, underscores the determination he brings to the national team.
As Germany advances in the tournament, Amiri's role as a reliable substitute who can change a game remains central to Nagelsmann's plans. His penalty record this season — scoring all 10 penalties he took — further highlights his composure and reliability.
With the World Cup underway and Germany facing Ecuador next, Amiri's journey from youth prospect to international stage serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the value of patience and belief.