Four national team appearances in five weeks: Things have gone quickly for Karim Bellarabi since he was called to the DFB squad for the first time. He made his debut on October 11th, featuring in the starting XI against Poland in Warsaw during Germany’s EURO qualifying matches. Further starting XI appearances followed against Ireland and Gibraltar and in Germany’s final match of the year against Spain, when he was brought on in the 22nd minute for the injured Thomas Müller.
Bellarabi talked to Sport Bild about his joy, but also his excitement when Germany manager Joachim Löw called him and called him up to the DFB team for the first time: “Of course I was aware that the media was discussing the possibility following the opening games of the season. But I didn’t expect things to go this quickly. That’s why it was such a huge feeling of joy when Joachim Löw called me.” Leverkusen’s manager Roger Schmidt had informed Bellarabi that the call from Joachim Löw was coming shortly. “Still, I was surprised and nervous,” admitted the 24-year-old.
Bellarabi had “huge respect” from the DFB team: “You have to have respect from these players. They are the best team in the world. Apart from André Schürrle, with whom I’ve played together at Leverkusen, I didn’t know anyone personally. That’s why I kept very quiet at first and just tried to let everything sink in. But I also wanted to show off my potential and a dream came true when the manager told me that I was going to play.”
Born in Berlin, Bellarabi could have chosen to play for his father’s home country Morocco but instead opted for the DFB team. A decision he does not regret. “My entire family is happy that I’m playing for Germany and performing well. My Grandmother Rosemarie from Bremen watches all my games on television. She got Sky just in order to see my games. She is still a bit baffled that I’m playing in the same team with all the World Cup winners.”
Four national team appearances in five weeks: Things have gone quickly for Karim Bellarabi since he was called to the DFB squad for the first time. He made his debut on October 11th, featuring in the starting XI against Poland in Warsaw during Germany’s EURO qualifying matches. Further starting XI appearances followed against Ireland and Gibraltar and in Germany’s final match of the year against Spain, when he was brought on in the 22nd minute for the injured Thomas Müller.
Bellarabi talked to Sport Bild about his joy, but also his excitement when Germany manager Joachim Löw called him and called him up to the DFB team for the first time: “Of course I was aware that the media was discussing the possibility following the opening games of the season. But I didn’t expect things to go this quickly. That’s why it was such a huge feeling of joy when Joachim Löw called me.” Leverkusen’s manager Roger Schmidt had informed Bellarabi that the call from Joachim Löw was coming shortly. “Still, I was surprised and nervous,” admitted the 24-year-old.
Bellarabi had “huge respect” from the DFB team: “You have to have respect from these players. They are the best team in the world. Apart from André Schürrle, with whom I’ve played together at Leverkusen, I didn’t know anyone personally. That’s why I kept very quiet at first and just tried to let everything sink in. But I also wanted to show off my potential and a dream came true when the manager told me that I was going to play.”
Born in Berlin, Bellarabi could have chosen to play for his father’s home country Morocco but instead opted for the DFB team. A decision he does not regret. “My entire family is happy that I’m playing for Germany and performing well. My Grandmother Rosemarie from Bremen watches all my games on television. She got Sky just in order to see my games. She is still a bit baffled that I’m playing in the same team with all the World Cup winners.”
