Former Gunner rejects Germany call-up | OneFootball

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno rejected a call-up from Germany for the October international break, though he’s still hoping to play for his country in the future.

DUESSELDORF, GERMANY: Timo Werner, Bernd Leno and Niklas Suele chat during a Germany training session ahead of their international friendly match against Spain at Paul-Janes-Stadion on March 21, 2018. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Former Gunner Bernd Leno has rejected a call-up from Germany for the October international break, with Julian Nagelsmann looking to include him in the squad following the injury to Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Explaining his decision to Bild, Leno said (via GGFN): “They told me I would be there, but that I wouldn’t get a game. That’s why I decided to train in London.

“Julian knows that I’m always there when they need me and that I can really help the team. I’ve never put demands on Manuel (Neuer) and Marc (Ter Stegen), I’ve always delivered and never made jokes.”

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND: Bernd Leno of Fulham celebrates after teammate Manor Solomon (not pictured) scores the team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Fulham FC at American Express Community Stadium on February 18, 2023. (Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images)

But the goalkeeper clearly isn’t ruling out a return to the national team in the future, insisting he’d be honoured to play for the side.

“After all my games in the Bundesliga, Premier League and internationally, Julian and Andreas know what they have in me,” Leno continued.

“It will always be a great honour for me to play for the national team and that remains the goal.”

Fulham’s German goalkeeper Bernd Leno looks on during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Craven Cottage in London on February 24, 2023. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Leno likely would have been involved with Germany at Euro 2024 if not for an unfortunate injury, having featured regularly in the squad over the previous 12 months.

Yet the 32-year-old’s last appearance on the pitch was in September 2021, and he’s only played for the team six times since his first call-up in 2015.

To make six appearances in nine years of call-ups shows how patient the goalkeeper has had to be, and he’s evidently reached the point where he’s only interested in joining the team if there’s some chance he might play.

That wasn’t the case this month, so he decided to remain with Fulham.

The goalkeeper has kept one clean sheet in Fulham’s seven Premier League games of the new campaign, conceding eight goals.