Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner on his international future: “I want to make the decision 100% right. That could be in two months or at the end of the season.”

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·30 September 2024

Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner on his international future: “I want to make the decision 100% right. That could be in two months or at the end of the season.”

Article image:Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner on his international future: “I want to make the decision 100% right. That could be in two months or at the end of the season.”

Speaking to kicker, Heidenheim’s Paul Wanner has given insight into his choice behind his international future as Germany and Austria fight it out.

Wanner has still yet to make a decision on his international future and has turned down the chance to represent Austria at EURO 2024 as well as Germany’s under-21s in recent weeks. On when he plans to make a decision, the forward said:

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“I would prefer to play in the Bundesliga for a year and then see where I see myself.” He does not rule out making things clear sooner. “I want to make the decision 100 percent right. That could be in two months or at the end of the season.”

The 18-year-old also revealed why he turned down the chance to join Austria at EURO 2024, an opportunity that a lot of people would not do:

“I did not say yes because I wanted and still want to take my time with the decision. It was not a no to Austria, it is open to me, I like both countries very much. The European Championships would also have overlapped with my new club’s preparations. After the experience of the late move to Elversberg, I wanted to take part in the entire preparation. It was more important to me to settle in well at the club.”

However, Wanner is still unsure whether he feels more German or Austrian:

“It’s fifty-fifty. I don’t even know if I have typically German or Austrian characteristics; when it comes to food, I prefer my Austrian grandmother’s.”

Wanner is currently on loan at Heidenheim from Bayern Munich and has started the season off strongly with four goals and two assists in seven games for the club. Heidenheim also kicks off their Conference League campaign this week against Olimpija Ljubljana.

It has previously been reported by Sport1 that the DFB and OFB are both pushing for Wanner and that his decision will depend on the World Cup in 2026. If the DFB can show him a path into the squad for the World Cup, the he will likely chose to represent Germany but if they cannot, Austria will be there.

GGFN | Jack Meenan